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•CRKIIIY 

LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  <» 
CALIFORNIA 


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GUIDE  TO  PLYMOUTH, 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF  THE  PILGRIMS. 


WILLIAM   S.   RUSSELL, 
it 


•  Come  listen  to  my  story, 

Though  often  told  before, 
Of  men  who  pass'd  to  glory, 

Through  toil  and  trial  sore ; 
Of  men  who  did  for  conscience'  sake, 

Their  native  land  forego, 
And  sought  a  home  and  freedom  here 

Two  hundred  years  ago.* 


B  OSTON: 

PUBLISHED    FOR   THE    AUTHOR,   BY 

GEOKGE    COOLIDGE, 

130  Washington  Street. 

1846. 


LOAN  STAC* 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1846,  by 

WILLIAM    S.    EUSSELL, 

In   the   Clerk's    Office  of  the    District    Court  of  the    District   of 
Massachusetts. 


Printed  at  Coolidge's  Steam  Power  Printing  Establishment, 
130  Washington  Street,  Boston. 


F7i 


PREFACE 


The  Guide  to  Plymouth  and  Kecollections  of  the  Pilgrims  is 
respectfully  submitted  to  the  public,  and  is  designed  to  present,  in 
a  volume  of  convenient  size,  such  historical  facts  connected  with  our 
early  history,  and  descriptions  of  interesting  localities  with  which 
they  are  connected,  as  are  deemed  of  essential  importance  to  the 
numerous  visitors,  who  resort  to  the  spot  rendered  memorable  as  the 
scene  where  the  foundations  of  empire  were  first  laid,  and  the  prin- 
ciples of  religious  and  civil  liberty  were  successfully  established  in 
New  England. 

Much  of  novelty  can  hardly  be  expected  in  relation  to  subjects 
which  have  engaged  the  attention  and  careful  research  of  so  many 
distinguished  visitors.  The  author  of  the  present  work  therefore,  if 
he  may  hope  to  secure  the  public  favor  in  behalf  of  the  humble 
labors  he  has  ventured  to  undertake,  is  not  unconscious,  that  he 
must  mainly  rely  upon  the  earnestness  and  diligence  with  which  he 
has  sought  to  present  the  subjects  considered,  in  a  form  rendering 
them  easily  accessible  to  all  inquirers  after  interesting  memorials  of 
the  pilgrims. 

In  preparing  this  work  for  publication,  the  various  histories  of  New 
England  have  been  attentively  consulted,  and  the  Old  Colony 
records  have  supplied  much  which  is  believed  to  possess  strong 
attractions  to  public  curiosity. 

The  earlier  histories,  particularly  those  of  Bradford,  Winslow,  and 
Morton,  written,  as  they  were,  by  able  and  conscientious  men, 
prominently  concerned  in  most  of  the  occurrences,  which  they 
record,  seemed  to  deserve  the  first  and  highest  regard.  The  best 
illustrations  of  these  early  writers,  obtained  from  various  sources, 
and  applied  with  careful  discrimination,  it  is  hoped  will  render  the 


477 


IV  PREFACE. 

main  facts  and  events  connected  with  the  pilgrims,  intelligible  to 
every  reader. 

No  traditionary  statements  have  been  introduced  into  the  work 
which  do  not  rest  upon  substantial  grounds,  deemed  equally  entitled 
to  credit  with  those  of  historical  records. 

Although  this  volume  has  been  extended  to  more  than  one  hun- 
dred pages  beyond  the  limits  originally  assigned  to  it,  many  readers 
will  doubtless  find  it  insufficient  to  gratify  their  curiosity  in  relation 
to  the  subjects  of  which  it  treats.  Such  readers  may  find  the  means 
of  more  extended  information  on  reference  to  the  New  England 
Memorial,  edited  by  Judge  Davis  —  Winthrop's  History  of  New 
England,  by  James  Savage — Holmes'  Annals  of  America — Ban- 
croft's History  of  the  United  States  —  The  publications  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Historical  Society  —  Baylies'  Memoir  of  the  Old  Colony 
—  Young's  Chronicles  of  the  Pilgrims  —  Judge  Mitchell's  History 
of  Bridgewater  —  and  Deane's  History  of  Scituate. 

Genealogical  tables  of  the  Pilgrims  have  been  carefully  prepared 
to  a  considerable  extent,  a  few  only  of  which  could  be  admitted  into 
the  present  work,  but  which,  if  deemed  sufficiently  interesting  to 
justify  the  undertaking,  may  hereafter  appear  in  a  different  form. 

The  quotations  from  other  works  are  designated  as  they  occur  in 
the  following  pages ;  but  the  subscriber  would  gratefully  acknowledge 
not  only  the  encouragement  afforded  to  the  plan  and  object  of  this 
work,  by  many  valued  friends,  some  of  whom  have  been  concerned 
in  similar  labors,  but  also  for  valuable  suggestions  and  important 
information  imparted  during  the  progress  of  its  accomplishment. 

WILLIAM  S.  RUSSELL. 

Plymouth,  Massachusetts,  October,  1846. 


INTRODUCTORY  LINES. 


Note.  The  Introductory  Lines  are  designed  to  form  a  general  outline  of  the  work,  and 
briefly  to  describe  the  most  interesting  localities  rendered  memorable  by  their  early  and 
intimate  connection  with  the  pilgrims,  and  some  of  the  thoughts  which  a  view  of  these 
localities  naturally  suggests  to  every  thoughtful  mind.  Under  the  successive  heads  of  this 
work,  observing  the  following  order,  namely :  Forefathers'  Rock,  Leyden  Street,  Burying 
Hill,  Captain's  Hill,  Clark's  Island,  Watson's  Hill,  and  Friendly  Indians;  the  reader  will 
find  a  more  particular  description  of  the  places  to  which  specific  allusion  is  made  in  the 
Introductory  Lines,  and  such  traditionary  or  historical  facts  respecting  them,  aa  have  come 
to  our  knowledge. 


In  memory  of  our  Pilgrim  Sires, 
This  volume  reverently  aspires, 
To  guide  the  steps  of  those  who  trace, 
Mementos  of  that  noble  race, 
Who  by  the  love  of  Freedom  led, 
First  landed  on  the  soil  we  tread. 
Their  daring  and  their  faith  sublime, 
Are  themes  that  through  all  coming  time 
Should  our  admiring  plaudits  raise, 
And  be  embalmed  in  grateful  praise. 
By  heartless  Bigots  basely  spurned, 
From  Tyrant  power  resolved  they  turned, 
And  sought  in  western  wilds  to  meet, 
Some  spot  to  rest  their  weary  feet, 
Some  spot  to  rear  their  house  of  prayer, 
Beyond  the  mitre's  angry  glare, 
To  fix  the  reign  of  conscience  free, 
Despite  of  Rome's  imperial  See, 


VI  INTRODUCTORY    LINES. 

That  Church  and  State  no  more  combined, 

With  iron  grasp  the  soul  should  bind, 

Where  Freedom  winged  might  raptured  roam, 

And  find  at  last  her  genial  home. 

No  beacon  gleamed  from  friendly  height 

To  cheer  for  them  the  dreary  night, 

Or  warn  from  latent  reefs  and  sands, 

That  hide  destruction  on  our  strands; 

No  summer's  sky  nor  genial  breeze, 

No  verdant  fields  nor  blooming  trees, 

In  beauty  clothed  the  prospect  round, 

All  lay  in  frosted  armour  bound  ; 

No  friends  approached  the  water's  edge, 

To  press  the  kind,  the  welcome  pledge, 

On  them  no  eye  with  pleasure  gazed, 

For  them  no  sparkling  fire-side  blazed, 

Around  they  cast  the  anxious  eye 

Some  sheltering  covert  to  descry, 

The  tender  children  near  them  stand, 

And  grasp  the  Father's  helping  hand, 

The  mother  spreads  her  circling  arms, 

To  shield  her  charge  from  threatening  harms; 

While  tempered  age  with  labored  thought, 

And  youthful  arm  with  vigor  fraught, 

Combined  the  strength  and  saving  power, 

To  meet  that  dark  and  fearful  hour. 

Sons  of  the  Pilgrims,  well  ye  may 
High  honors  to  your  Fathers  pay, 
With  rapture  on  their  memory  dwell, 
And  to  your  sons  the  story  tell, 
Of  patient  toils  and  dangers  braved, 
How  God  of  old  from  danger  saved, 
Made  savage  hearts  with  kindness  glow, 
And  filled  with  dread  the  daring  foe, 
Their  wants  supplied,  and  strength  renewed, 


INTRODUCTORY    LINES.  Vll 

With  faith  and  hope  their  minds  imbued, 
Patient  and  calm  their  lot  to  bear, 
Through  Winter's  cold  and  stinted  fare. 
And  shielded  long  this  matchless  band, 
To  found  an  Empire  in  our  land. 

We  HI  seek  the  Rock,  which  first  they  trod, 
Where  round  they  knelt  to  worship  God, 
Whose  guardian  care  had  been  their  stay, 
O'er  ocean's  rough,  tempestuous  way. 

The  murmuring  Brook,  whose  waters  sweet, 
Induced  them  near  to  fix  their  seat, 
Whose  gushing  banks  the  springs  afford, 
That  eked  along  their  scanty  board  ; 
There  first  was  heard  the  cheerful  strain 
Of  axe  and  hammer,  saw  and  plane, 
Around  their  humble  roofs  appeared, 
Through  wasting  care  and  labor  reared. 
And  when  the  Evening's  twilight  hour 
O'er  nature  held  her  dusky  power, 
Or  gathering  night  with  sterner  reign, 
Its  mantle  cast  on  hill  and  plain, 
The  watchful  mother  bent  in  prayer, 
That  God  her  infant  charge  would  spare, 
Lest  savage  foes  with  war-hoop  wild, 
Should  come  to  wake  her  sleeping  child, 
Or  fire  the  cot  at  midnight  drear, 
*  When  no  strong  arm  of  aid  was  near. 
That  prayer  of  faith  and  hope  divine 
That  rose  from  nature's  purest  shrine, 
Was  heard  by  Him  who  never  sleeps, 
But  trusting  souls  forever  keeps. 


*  It  is  remarkable  that  no  attack  was  made  on  Plymouth  by  the  natives  till  the  time  of 
Philip's  War  in  177C. 


Vlll  INTRODUCTORY    LINES. 

Here  slowly  waned  the  weary  hour, 
When  death  assumed  his  ghastly  power, 
And  White  and  Mullins  stricken  down, 
Exchanged  the  Earth  for  Heaven's  bright  crown, 
And  Carver  summoned  from  the  fields, 
His  precious  life  untimely  yields, 
While  fathers,  mothers,  children  pine, 
And  dearest  hopes  and  loves  resign. 
How  sadly  winds  the  funeral  train, 
With  feeble  step  across  the  plain ; 
What  anguish  wrings  affection's  breast, 
That  gave  the  Pilgrim  to  his  rest ; 
No  requiem  his  but  ocean's  roar, 
That  broke  in  moans  along  the  shore, 
Or  storms  and  waves  that  madly  sweep 
While  gushing  hearts  in  sorrow  weep. 
The  Mayflower  loosed  her  flapping  sail, 
Once  more  to  woo  the  friendly  gale, 
Her  boat  more  briskly  glides  around, 
Cheered  on  by  thoughts  of  homeward  bound, 
Parts  from  the  shore  through  rippling  waves 
Seen  from  the  height  of  recent  graves; 
But  yet,  no  Pilgrim  of  the  band 
Would  quit  his  consecrated  land, 
Though  famine  pressed,  and  dire  disease 
Lurked  in  the  spring's  returning  breeze, 
*  And  echo  loud  through  forest  rung, 
With  curses  deep  upon  her  tongue, 
While  danger  stalked  with  flashing  eye 
To  rouse  the  war-hoop's  fearful  cry, 
His  cherished  hope  and  faith  sublime, 
Triumphant  glowed  in  every  clime. 

*  In  allusion  to  the  fact  related  by  Morton,  in  his  Memorial,  that  soon  after  the  arrival  of 
the  pilgrims,  at  Plymouth,  the  Indians,  before  they  came  to  the  English,  with  proffers  of 
peace,  collected  all  the  powaivs  In  the  rountry,  ■  who  for  three  days  together,  in  a  horrid  and 
devilish  manner,  did  curse  and  execrate  them  with  their  conjurations ;  which  assembly 
and  service  they  held  in  a  dark  and  dismal  swamp.' 


INTRODUCTORY    LINES.  IX 

The  mount  from  whence  the  bulwarks  rose, 
To  guard  their  homes  from  threatening  foes, 
There  blush  the  morning's  earliest  beams, 
And  sunset's  mildly  parting  gleams, 
Far  off  is  heard  the  ocean's  roar, 
That  once  the  '  germ  of  Empire '  bore, 
Of  honored  names  to  Freedom  dear, 
All  passing  time  shall  still  revere, 
As  bravely  on  the  Mayflower  came, 
And  caught  the  breeze  of  endless  fame. 

Gazing  from  where  the  Fathers  sleep, 
Along  the  wide  expansive  deep, 
"We  trace  the  mount  which  gently  soars, 
Above  the  sea  and  circling  shores, 
Where  Standish,  first  of  martial  name, 
Who  dauntless  won  heroic  fame, 
Skillful  and  brave  to  guide  the  band, 
Which  firm  achieved  this  chosen  land ; 
Was  wont  to  gaze  on  every  side, 
And  scan  the  sail  of  every  tide, 
That  timely  thought  and  watchful  care, 
For  coming  danger  might  prepare, 
Prompt  welcome  give  to  friendly  sail, 
As  borne  by  some  propitious  gale, 
Or  aid  impart  to  stranger  lest, 
When  on  the  main  by  tempest  tost. 
The  ocean  heaves  its  rolling  tide, 
Along  that  mount's  projecting  side. 
Above,  his  home  and  grave  are  seen, 
With  laurels  crowned  forever  green. 
Full  many  a  step  will  thither  roam, 
And  thoughtful  linger  round  that  home. 

The  modest  Isle  of  yonder  Bay, 
Screened  from  the  rougher  blasts  and  spray, 


INTRODUCTORY    LINES. 

There  long  by  storm  and  billow  driven, 
With  mast  and  sail  to  fragments  riven, 
The  wanderers  sought  its  welcome  shore, 
And  safe  their  struggling  shallop  moore, 
There  watchful  met  the  earliest  dawn, 
Which  first  revealed  the  Sabbath  morn, 
That  prayer  and  praise  might  o'er  the  deep, 
Harmonious  strains  in  concert  keep. 
New  England's  pristine  Sabbath  Day 
On  Time's  dark  flood  has  passed  away, 
The  Pilgrim  chant  is  heard  no  more, 
That  echoed  once  upon  that  shore, 
And  hushed  the  lips  whose  accents  gave 
Their  grateful  notes  to  wind  and  wave ; 
But  still  the  Sabbath's  cheerful  hours 
Shall  claim  and  bless  our  noblest  powers, 
And  wing  our  thoughts  to  scenes  divine, 
Where  faith  and  hope  no  more  decline. 

The  rising  Hill,  upon  whose  brow, 
Was  first  exchanged  the  solemn  vow, 
When  Massassoit  the  Indian  Chief, 
So  promptly  tendered  kind  relief, 
And  by  whose  early  proffered  aid 
A  lasting  peace  was  firmly  laid. 
While  Carver,  Win  slow,  Bradford  stand, 
Time  honored  Fathers  of  our  land, 
This  Chieftain  too  shall  homage  claim, 
Of  praise  far  more  than  princely  fame, 
True-hearted,  gentle,  kind  and  brave, 
Unfading  honor  crowns  his  grave. 

The  path  through  ivhich  Samoset  came, 
And  boldly  welcomed  them  by  name, 
Whose  practised  skill  and  counsel  sage, 
Inscribed  appear  on  history's  page, 


INTRODUCTORY    LINES.  XI 

That  tells  his  worth  and  friendship  true, 

And  yields  the  praise  so  justly  due, 

His  comely  form  and  features  stand 

Portrayed  by  Sargent's  tasteful  hand, 

Beside  the  Groupe  of  exiled  name, 

Who  pressed  the  Rock  of  endless  fame. 

Nor  may  the  just  impartial  muse 

To  other  names  its  meed  refuse, 

Nor  thoughtless  walk  o'er  Squanto's  grave, 

Or  Hobbomoch's,  the  Indian  Brave* 

Nor  yet  withold  the  debt  we  owe, 

The  courteous  Sachem  Ianough, 

While  Aspinet  of  Nauset  kind, 

Should  equal  favor,  grateful  find, 

These  in  their  spheres  rich  service  lent, 

And  lives  of  upright  purpose  spent, 

Though  born  and  trained  to  savage  life, 

They  quenched  the  sparks  of  kindling  strife, 

Our  Fathers  loved  in  ancient  days, 

And  well  deserve  the  children's  praise. 

Ah  who  shall  not  their  fate  deplore, 
That  ranged  of  old  along  our  shore; 
The  white  man  now  assumes  the  place, 
Where  dwelt  that  swift  declining  race, 
His  gallant  Bark  in  triumph  rides, 
Her  swelling  sails  usurp  the  tides, 
Where  Indian  here  with  light  canoe, 
No  longer  skims  the  waters  through, 
Nor  idly  basks  on  hillock  green, 
Whence  teeming  flood  and  wave  are  seen ; 
His  arrows,  plied  with  sturdy  arm, 
The  bounding  deer  no  more  alarm, 


*  Called  by  Gov.  Winslow  a  pinese,  a  chief  counsellor,  or  Captain  of  Massaseoit,  and  a 
firm  friend  of  the  Pilgrims  till  his  death,  about  the  year  1642. 


Xll  INTRODUCTORY    LINES. 

His  kindling  fires  that  flamed  by  night, 
No  hand  again  shall  ever  light, 
His  day  of  song  and  dance  and  glee, 
Is  hushed  in  dark  oblivion's  sea, 
Nor  bard  of  his  with  glowing  lays, 
His  deeds  shall  sound  or  swell  his  praise, 
Nor  pillared  tablet  ever  tell 
The  day  he  rose  or  sadly  fell. 

The  ardent  sons  of  Freedom's  cause, 
Of  holy  Truth  and  righteous  laws, 
Who  scorn  the  Bigot's  fiery  rule, 
But  bred  in  Robinsonian  school, 
Unshackeled  conscience  dare  maintain, 
At  highest  cost  of  toil  and  pain, 
Will  oft  the  Pilgrim  page  explore, 
That  spread  its  leaves  on  Plymouth  shore, 
Fresh  impulse  find  where  peril  leads, 
To  worthy  acts  and  glorious  deeds. 

As  o'er  their  tombs  we  reverent  tread, 
And  call  to  mind  the  honored  dead, 
While  Fancy  sheds  her  pensive  hues, 
And  Time's  dim  track  still  lingering  views, 
O  may  we  catch  the  sacred  flame 
Which  hallows  yet  their  glorious  fame, 
So  walk  with  God  while  here  on  earth, 
That  we  may  gain  their  heavenly  birth, 
And  meet  at  last  the  sainted  throng 
To  join  in  one  eternal  song. 


GUIDE  TO  PLYMOUTH, 

AND 

RECOLLECTIONS   OE  THE  PILGRIMS. 

CHAPTER  I. 

A  brief  Historical  account  of  the  Pilgrims  previous  to 
their  removal  from  England  to  Holland. 

O  'twas  no  earth-born  passion, 

That  bade  the  adventurers  stray, 

The  world  and  all  its  fashion, 

With  them  had  passed  away.  Flint. 

In  presenting  a  brief  historical  sketch  of  the  Pil- 
grim Fathers,  previous  to  their  removal  to  Holland  in 
the  year  1G07  and  8,  our  attention  is  naturally  directed 
to  a  consideration  of  the  causes,  which  induced  them 
to  relinquish  their  native  country,  under  circumstan- 
ces of  difficulty,  privation  and  danger,  rarely  if  ever 
encountered,  for  objects  so  noble  in  their  character, 
and  successful  in  their  accomplishment,  so  transcen- 
dent in  their  results. 

In  adverting  to  these  causes,  we  perceive  that 
History  reveals  to  our  observation,  the  founders  of 
1 


J  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

New  England  not  only  acting  in  close  theoretical 
harmony  with  the  great  principles  of  the  Reformation, 
which  under  the  fearless  auspices  of  Luther,  had  ex- 
erted a  powerful  influence  over  the  christian  world  ; 
but  among  the  most  practical  and  efficient  instruments 
in  the  promotion  of  their  progress  both  at  home  and 
abroad. 

The  Reformation  at  this  period,  though  bright  and 
cheering,  when  contrasted  with  the  gross  darkness, 
which  for  ages  had  overspread  the  spiritual  concerns 
of  mankind,  had  been  with  respect  to  England,  com- 
paratively slow  in  its  progress  ;  while  on  the  Conti- 
nent a  Ion";  and  ardent  contest  between  the  most 
accomplished  scholars  and  divines,  resulted  in  so  far 
limiting  the  accustomed  bigotry  of  the  age,  as  to  se- 
cure an  asylum  to  the  persecuted  fugitives  of  other 
nations. 

Henry  the  Eighth,  whose  zeal  against  the  move- 
ments and  doctrines  of  Luther,  had  won  from  the 
Pope  of  Rome,  the  title  of  defender  of  the  faith,  under 
t  he  influence  of  passions,  regulated  by  no  sense  of 
moral  or  religious  principle,  summarily  severed  the 
bond  of  papal  supremacy,  which  for  ages  had  held 
the  English  nation  within  its  imperious  grasp  ;  afford- 
ing a  striking  example  of  not  unfrequent  occurrence 
in  the  history  of  mankind,  in  which  providence  con- 
verts the  purposes  of  human  depravity  into  the  suc- 
cessful instrumentality  of  promoting  the  advancement 
of  truth. 

Frustrated  in  the  accomplishment  of  a  negotiation, 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  6 

having  for  its  object  the  gratification  of  the  most 
licentious  passions,  he  seized  upon  the  Church  reve- 
nues, previously  deemed  sacred  by  his  subjects,  and 
which  from  time  immemorial  had  constituted  the 
unfailing  fund,  by  which  the  ingenious  machinery 
of  Papal  imposition  was  sustained  and  extended 
throughout  the  world.  Measures  of  this  character, 
though  productive  of  no  immediate  consequences 
favorable  to  liberty  of  conscience,  so  far  as  it  depended 
upon  the  will  of  this  unscrupulous  and  arbitrary  mon- 
arch, tended  to  impair  the  blind  veneration  with 
which  popular  feeling  had  long  regarded  the  man- 
dates of  Roman  Catholic  authority,  while  the  diver- 
sion of  large  revenues  from  their  accustomed  channels 
of  application,  diminished  its  local  influence.  These 
causes,  in  conjunction  with  the  advancing  spirit  of 
the  age,  prepared  the  way  for  important  changes,  both 
as  respects  doctrines  and  ceremonies  under  the  reign 
of  Edward  the  Sixth,  whose  early  promise  and  prema- 
ture death,  have  so  often  excited  the  admiration  and 
the  sympathy  of  mankind. 

'With  reference  to  this  period,'  says  Bancroft,  'so 
far  was  the  freedom  of  private  enquiry  from  being 
recognized  as  a  right,  the  means  of  forming  a  judg- 
ment on  religious  subjects  was  denied.  The  act  of 
supremacy  which  severed  the  English  nation  from 
the  Roman  See,  contained  no  clause  favorable  to 
religious  liberty.  It  was  but  a  vindication  of  the  sov- 
ereign franchise  of  the  English  monarch  against  for- 
eign interference  — it  did  not  aim  to  enfranchise  the 


4  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

English  nation.  The  King  of  England  became  the 
Pope  ill  his  own  dominions,  and  heresy  was  still 
accounted  the  greatest  of  all  crimes.  All  the  Catholic 
doctrines  were  asserted,  except  the  Supremacy  of 
Rome.' 

The  accession  of  Edward  the  Sixth,  in  fifteen  hun- 
dred and  forty-seven,  afforded  far  greater  security  to 
Protestants,  than  had  been  previously  enjoyed,  and 
the  English  Church  was  established  by  the  authority 
of  Parliament,  upon  a  basis,  not  essentially  different 
from  that  which  it  maintains  at  the  present  day.  It 
still  preserved,  however,  the  union  of  Church  and  State 
unimpaired  ;  a  feature  of  the  ancient  system,  justly 
regarded  by  the  Puritans,  as  tending  to  pervert  the 
purity  of  christian  faith  and  morality;  and  to  encour- 
age an  indolent,  slavish  dependence  upon  the  fallible 
dictation  of  man  ;  instead  of  that  earnest  investigation 
of  divine  revelation,  which,  while  it  reverently  invokes 
the  source  of  all  light  for  its  guidance,  enlists  the  pur- 
est affections  and  the  highest  powers  of  our  nature, 
and  conducts  the  thirsting  soul  to  fountains  of  living 
water,  springing  into  everlasting  life. 

But  whatever  had  been  gained  in  the  progress  of 
Reformation,  during  the  brief  reign  of  Ed  ward,  seemed 
destined  to  be  lost,  under  the  iron  sway  of  his  succes- 
sor Mary  ;  when  the  kindling  faggots  of  Smithfield 
blazed  amidst  the  dying  agonies  of  the  Martyrs  to 
conscience,  sacrificed  to  her  vindictive  temper  and 
unrelenting  bigotry  ;  the  familiar  and  summary  pro- 
cess, by  which  the  Church  of  Rome  has  checked  the 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  O 

growth  of  true  freedom  in  the  human  mincl,  leaving 
no  alternative  to  the  pure  and  conscientious,  but  en- 
tire submission  to  its  mandates,  or  the  possible  secur- 
ity of  life  by  instant  flight  from  its  power. 

The  succeeding  reign  of  Elizabeth,  commencing  in 
the  year  fifteen  hundred  and  fifty-eight,  afforded  some 
cessation  of  the  violent  persecutions  of  her  predeces- 
sor, and  the  promise  of  relief  to  the  sufferers,  for  con- 
science' sake,  who  had  fled  to  the  continent  for  safety, 
and  encouraged  them  to  return,  from  their  respective 
places  of  exile.  But  their  cherished  expectations 
were  doomed  to  cruel  disappointment  both  under  the 
reign  of  Elizabeth,  and  that  of  her  successor,  James 
the  First;  the  act  of  Supremacy  was  renewed,  with 
accumulated  penalties,  and  enforced  with  rigorous 
severity,  totally  inconsistent  with  every  just  principle 
of  toleration,  and  compelled  the  conscientious  adhe- 
rents of  truth  to  struggle  onward,  with  a  pertinacity 
which  feared  no  danger,  and  heeded  no  consequences, 
till  their  perseverance  at  length  achieved  its  reward, 
producing  changes,  both  in  Church  and  State,  deeply 
affecting  the  social  order  of  the  whole  community.    . 

It  was  at  the  close  of  Queen  Elizabeth's  reign  in 
the  year  sixteen  hundred  and  two  —  a  period  of  ar- 
dent excitement  in  relation  to  all  the  great  objects  of 
human  pursuit ;  when  the  progressive  influence  of  the 
Reformation,  earnestly  engaged  the  attention  of  every 
thoughtful  mind  —  when  the  newly  discovered  art  of 
printing  facilitated  the  dissemination  of  knowledge, 
and  new  discoveries  by  successive  navigators,  pre- 
1* 


O  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

senteda  wide  field  of  commercial  enterprise  ;  that  we 
first  trace  our  Pilgrim  Fathers,  in  the  north  of  Eng- 
land, manfully  contending  against  the  principalities 
and  powers  which  denied  them  '  the  liberty  where- 
with Christ  had  made  them  free.' 

Though  few  in  numbers,  their  strong  faith,  earnest 
zeal  and  fervent  love,  created  a  bond  of  union,  and  an 
intensity  of  purpose,  which  never  deserted  them 
throughout  their  perilous  enterprise ;  whether  hunted 
at  home  by  the  minions  of  hierarchal  oppression, 
exposed  to  the  perilous  changes  of  the  ocean,  seek- 
ing a  precarious  subsistence  in  a  strange  land,  or  ex- 
ploring the  bleak  shores  of  Cape  Cod,  amidst  the 
rough  blasts  of  a  cheerless  winter. 

Under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  learned  and 
accomplished  John  Robinson,  assisted  and  sustained 
by  the  fervent  piety  and  steadfast  zeal  of  Elder 
Brewster,  whose  meekness  of  spirit  and  gentle  de- 
meanor, might  have  justly  enrolled  his  name  in  con- 
nection with  that  of  the  'beloved  disciple'  himself; 
they  formed  a  just  conception  of  that  kingdom  which 
is  not  of  this  world.  Guided  by  the  plain  declara- 
tions of  the  treasured  word  of  God,  they  quickly  dis- 
cerned the  wide  difference  existing  between  the 
simplicity  of  apostolic  times,  and  the  gorgeous  parade 
of  Popery,  which,  while  it  claimed  to  control  the  con- 
science and  the  purse,  denied  the  free  use  of  the  Bible, 
and  made  no  provision  for  the  dissemination  of  that 
knowledge,  for  lack  of  which,  the  people  were  de- 
stroyed. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  7 

They  perceived  the  force  of  a  truth  eloquently  ex- 
pressed by  a  distinguished  writer  of  modern  times  * 
'that  as  the  hostility  of  heathenism  in  its  direct 
endeavor  to  extirpate  the  christian  religion  became 
entirely  hopeless  in  the  realms  of  the  Roman  Empire, 
there  was  a  great  change  of  the  policy  of  evil ;  and  all 
manner  of  reprobate  things,  heathenism  among  them, 
rushed  as  by  general  consent  into  treacherous  con- 
junction with  Christianity,  retaining  their  own  quality 
under  the  sacredness  of  its  name,  and  by  a  rapid 
progress  inducing  it  to  surrender  every  thing  distinc- 
tive^ of  it,  but  that  dishonored  name.' 

To  the  Prilgrims  therefore,  belongs  the  high  and 
glorious  distinction  of  achieving  the  last  step  in  the 
long  process  of  Religious  Reformation,  by  asserting 
and  maintaining  the  separate  independence  of  each 
Church. t  ■  This  step  had  a  short  time  before  been 
attempted  by  Robert  Brown, 'an  individual  of  no  very 
commendable  qualities,' whose  character  was  such  'as 
to  throw  no  little  discouragement  upon  the  cause ;  nor 
did  it  acquire  firmness  till  espoused  by  Robinson, 
who  may  be  called  the  Father  of  the  Independent 
Churches.  His  own  at  Leyden  was  one  of  these, 
and  fidelity  to  their  principles  was  the  chief  motive 
of  their  departure  from  Holland  and  the  occasion  of 
their  settlement  at  Plymouth.' 

'  -t  Of  the  motives  which  influenced  the  first  settlers 
to  a  voluntary  exile,  induced  them  to  relinquish  their 

#  John  Foster.  t  Everett's  Oration,  Dec.  22, 1S24. 

\  Webster's  Centennial  Discourse,  Dec.  22,  1820. 


8  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

native  country  and  to  seek  an  asylum  in  this  then 
unexplored  wilderness,  the  first  and  principal  no  doubt 
were  connected  with  Religion.  They  sought  to  en- 
joy a  higher  degree  of  Religious  Freedom,  and  what 
they  esteemed  a  purer  form  of  Religious  worship, 
than  was  allowed  to  their  choice  or  presented  to  their 
imitation  in  the  Old  World.  It  is  certain  that  though 
many  of  them  were  republicans  in  principle,  we  have 
no  evidence  that  our  New  England  ancestors  would 
have  emigrated  as  they  did,  become  wanderers  in 
Europe,  and  finally  undertake  the  establishment  of  a 
Colony  here,  merely  from  a  dislike  of  the  political 
systems  of  Europe.  They  fled  not  so  much  from  the 
civil  government  as  from  the  Hierarchy  and  the  laws 
which  enforced  conformity  to  the  Church  establish- 
ment' 

These  facts  and  considerations,  connected  with  the 
early  struggles  of  the  Pilgrims,  in  support  of  the  prin- 
ciples they  had  espoused,  their  patient  endurance  of 
the  severest  trials,  and  their  devout  acknowledgment  of 
God's  overruling  providence,  under  every  occurrence 
of  their  eventful  experience,  justly  authorize  the  con- 
clusion, that  a  deep  sense  of  the  supreme  importance 
of  divine  Revelation,  above  every  other  object  of 
human  pursuit,  reflected  from  the  inmost  depths  of 
the  Soul,  was  to  them  the  cloud  by  day,  and  the  pillar 
of  fire  by  night,  guiding  their  footsteps  to  this  Western 
World. 

One  of  the  most  distinguished  sons  of  the  Pilgrims, 
referring  to  the  principal  epochs  in  the  history  of 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE     PILGRIMS.  V 

mankind,  which  have  decidedly  accelerated  the  pro- 
gress of  civilization,  after  presenting  a  thorough 
exposition  of  the  existing  causes  which  must  long  ob- 
struct the  progress  of  Religious  and  Civil  liberty  in 
the  old  world,  breaks  forth  in  the  following  eloquent 
strain. 

■ '  While  therefore  the  work  of  social  renovation 
is  entirely  hopeless  in  Europe,  we  cannot  but  regard 
it  as  the  plain  interposition  of  Providence,  that  at  the 
central  point  of  time,  when  the  most  powerful  springs 
of  improvement  were  in  operation,  a  chosen  company 
of  pilgrims  who  were  actuated  by  these  springs  of 
improvement  came  over  to  these  distant  unoccupied 
shores.  I  know  not  that  the  work  of  thorough  re- 
form could  be  safely  trusted  to  other  hands.  I  can 
credit  their  disinterestedness,  when  they  maintain  the 
equality  of  ranks.  For  no  rich  forfeitures  of  attainted 
lords  await  them  in  the  wilderness.  I  need  not 
question  the  sincerity  with  which  they  assert  the 
right  of  conscience  ;  for  the  plundered  treasures  of  an 
ancient  hierarchy  are  not  to  seal  their  doctrine.  They 
rested  the  edifice  of  their  civil  and  religious  liberties 
on  a  foundation  as  pure  and  innocent  as  the  snows 
around  them. 

'  Blessed  be  the  spot,  the  only  one  on  earth,  where 
such  a  foundation  was  ever  laid.' 

But  the  combined  influence  of  the  Throne  and 
the  Hierarchy,  exerted  in  every  odious  form  of  exac- 
tion and  annoyance,  against  nonconformity,  exposed 

*  Everett's  Oration,  Dec.  22, 1824. 


10  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

the  pilgrims  to  the   severest  trials  and  rendered  an 
adherence  to  principle,  incompatible  with  their  con- 
tinued  abode  in  England  ;  and  their  attention  was 
directed  to  some  means  of  escape  from  the  increasing 
difficulties    which    assailed    them    on     every    side. 
These  difficulties  are  minutely  recorded  in  that  part 
of  the  History  of  Governor  Bradford,  inserted  in  the 
Church  Records  of  Plymouth  by  Secretary  Morton, 
author  of  the  New  England  Memorial,  from  which 
the  following  extract  is  copied.     ■  But,   after  these 
things,  they  could  not  longer  continue  in  any  peace- 
able manner,  but  were-  hunted  and  persecuted  on 
every  side,  so  as  their  former  afflictions  were  but  as 
mole -hills  to  mountains  in  comparison  to  those  which 
now  come  upon  them.     For  some  were  taken  and 
clapped  up  in  prisons,  others  had  their  houses  beset 
and  wTatched  night  and  day,  and  hardly  escaped  their 
hands  ;  and  the  most  were  fain  to  fly  and  leave  their 
houses  and  habitations,  and  the  means  of  their  liveli- 
hood.    Yet  these,  and   many  other   sharper  things 
which  afterwards  befel  them,  were  no  other  than  they 
looked  for,  and  therefore  wrere  the  better  prepared  to 
bear   them,  by  the  assistance  of  God's  grace  and 
spirit.     Yet   seeing   themselves  thus  molested,  and 
that  there  was  no  hope  of  their  continuance  there,  by 
a  joint   consent  they  resolved   to  go  into   the  Low 
Countries,  where  they  heard  was  freedom  of  religion 
for  all  men,  as  also  sundry  from  London  and  other 
parts  of  the  land,  that  had  been  exiled  and  persecuted 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  11 

foi  the  same  cause,  were  gone  thither,  and  lived  in 
Amsterdam  and  in  other  places  of  the  land. 

'  So  after  they  had  continued  together  about  a  year, 
and  kept  their  meetings  every  Sabbath  in  one  place 
or  another,  exercising  the  worship  of  God  among 
themselves,  notwithstanding  all  the  diligence  and 
malice  of  their  adversaries,  they  seeing  they  could 
no  longer  continue  in  that  condition,  they  resolved  to 
get  over  into  Holland,  as  they  could,  which  was  in 
the  year  1607  and  1608;  of  which  more  in  that  which 
followeth.' 

Note.  Gov.  Bradford  wrote  a  history  of  the  pilgrims,  from  the 
year  1602  lo  1647,  containing-  270  pages,  which  was  used  by  Morion 
and  Hutchinson  in  their  histories  and  Prince  in  his  chronology  of 
New  England.  This  work  of  Gov.  Bradford,  in  manuscript,  was  de- 
posited, with  other  valuable  documents,  in  the  Tower  of  the  Old 
South  Church  in  the  City  of  Boston,  and  was  lost  during  the  Revolu- 
tion, when  that  church  was  occupied  by  the  British  troops.  That  part 
of  the  work  above  referred  to,  contained  in  the  Church  Records  of 
Plymouth,  has  been  accurately  copied  and  published  with  copious  notes, 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Young  in  his  Chronicles  of  the  Pilgrims. 


12  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


CHAPTER  II. 

{  When  Tyranny  bigotry's  banners  upreared, 
These  fathers  for  conscience,  for  freedom,  self-banished, 
Confiding  in  Heaven,  o'er  the  wild  billow  steered, 
And  in  Holland  found  refuge  while  bigotry  vanished.' 

Departure  of  the  Pilgrims  for  Holland  —  Their  arri- 
val at  Amsterdam, 

Having  in  the  preceding  Chapter,  in  as  brief  a 
manner  as  seemed  practicable,  stated  the  principal  cir- 
cumstances and  causes  which  induced  the  pilgrims 
to  quit  their  native  country  —  we  proceed  to  describe 
the  difficulties  encountered  and  the  sacrifices  incurred, 
in  the  final  accomplishment  of  their  purpose.  "We 
recur  again  to  the  interesting  history  of  Gov.  Brad- 
ford, the  simplicity  and  truthfulness  of  whose  narra- 
tion, urge  a  stronger  claim  upon  our  regard  from  the 
fact  of  his  active  and  prominent  participation  in  the 
events  he  relates  and  the- scenes  he  describes. 

1  Being  thus  constrained  to  leave  their  native  coun- 
try, their  lands  and  livings,  and  all  their  familiar  ac- 
quaintance, it  was  much,  and  thought  marvellous  by 
many.  But  to  go  into  a  country  they  knew  not,  but  by 
hearsay,  where  they  must  learn  a  new  language,  and 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  13 

get  their  livings  they  knew  not  how,  it  being  a  dear 
place  and  subject  to  the  miseries  of  war,  it  was  by 
many  thought  an  adventure  almost  desperate,  a  case 
intolerable,  and  a  misery  worse  than  death;  especi- 
ally considering  they  were  not  acquainted  with  trades 
nor  traffic,  (by  which  the  country  doth  subsist,)  but 
had  only  been  used  to  a  plain  country  life,  and  the 
innocent  trade  of  husbandry.  But  these  things  did 
not  dismay  them  (although  they  did  sometimes  trou- 
ble them,)  for  their  desires  were  set  on  the  ways  of 
God,  and  to  enjoy  his  ordinances.  But  they  rested 
on  his  providence  and  knew  whom  they  had  believed. 
Yet  this  was  not  all.  For  although  they  could  not 
stay  they  were  not  suffered  to  go ;  but  the  ports  and. 
havens  were  shut  against  them,  so  as  they  were  fain 
to  seek  secret  means  of  conveyance,  and  to  fee  the 
mariners,  and  give  extraordinary  rates  for  their  pas- 
sage. And  yet  were  they  often  times  betrayed,  many 
of  them,  and  both  they  and  their  goods  intercepted 
and  surprised,  and  thereby  put  to  great  trouble  and 
charge ;  of  which  I  will  give  an  instance  or  two, 
and  omit  the  rest. 

1  There  was  a  great  company  of  them  purposed  to 
get  passage  at  Boston,  in  Lincolnshire ;  and  for  that 
end  had  hired  a  ship  wholly  to  themselves,  and  made 
agreement  with  the  master  to  be  ready  at  a  certain 
day,  and  take  them  and  their  goods  in  at  a  convenient 
place,  where  they  accordingly  would  all  attend  in 
readiness.  So  after  long  waiting  and  large  expenses, 
though  he  kept  not  the  day  with  them,  yet  he  came 
2 


14  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

at  length,  and  took  them  in,  in  the  night.  And  when 
he  had  them  and  their  goods  aboard,  he  betrayed  them, 
having  beforehand  complotted  with  the  searchers  and 
other  officers  so  to  do;  who  took  them  and  put  them 
into  open  boats,  and  there  rifled  and  ransacked  them, 
searching  them  to  their  shirts  for  money,  yea,  even 
the  women,  farther  than  became  modesty ;  and  then 
carried  them  back  into  the  town,  and  made  them  a 
spectacle  and  wonderment  to  the  multitude,  which 
came  flocking  on  all  sides  to  behold  them.  Being 
thus  by  the  catchpole  officers  rifled  and  stripped  of 
their  money,  books,  and* much  other  goods,  they  were 
presented  to  the  magistrates,  and  messengers  sent  to 
inform  the  Lords  of  the  Council  of  them ;  and  so  they 
were  committed  to  ward.  Indeed,  the  magistrates 
used  them  courteously,  and  showed  them  what  favor 
they  could ;  but  could  not  deliver  them  until  order 
came  from  the  Council  table.  But  the  issue  was, 
that  after  a  month's  imprisonment  the  greatest  part 
were  dismissed,  and  sent  to  the  places  from  whence 
they  came;  but  some*  of  the  principal  men  were 
still  kept  in  prison,  and  bound  over  to  the  assizes. 

1  The  next  spring  after,  there  was  another  attempt 
made,  by  some  of  these  and  others,  to  get  over  at 
another  place  ;  and  it  so  fell  out  that  they  lighted  of  a 

*  In  a  memoir  of  Elder  Brewster,  contained  in  the  Church  Records 
of  Plymouth,  written  by  Gov.  Bradford,  it  is  staled,  that '  Elder  Brews- 
ter was  the  chief  of  those  that  were  taken  at  Bos1  on  in  Lincolnshire, 
and  suffered  the  greatest  loss,  and  one  of  the  seven  that  were  kept 
longest  in  prison  and  after  bound  over  to  the  Assizes.' 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  15 

Dutchman  at  Hull,  having  a  ship  of  his  own  belong* 
ing  to  Zealand.  They  made  agreement  with  him, 
and  acquainted  him  with  their  condition,  hoping  to 
find  more  faithfulness  in  him  than  in  the  former,  of 
their  own  nation.  He  bade  them  not  fear ;  for  he 
would  do  well  enough.  He  was  by  appointment  to 
take  them  in  between  Grimsby  and  Hull,  where  was 
a  large  common,  a  good  way  distant  from  any  town. 
Now  against  the  prefixed  time,  the  women  and  chil- 
dren, with  the  goods,  were  sent  to  the  place  in  a  small 
bark,  which  they  had  hired  for  that  end,  and  the  men 
were  to  meet  them  by  land.  But  it  so  fell  out  that 
they  were  there  a  day  before  the  ship  came ;  and  the 
sea  being  rough,  and  the  women  very  sick,  prevailed 
with  the  seamen  to  put  into  a  creek  hard  by,  where 
they  lay  on  ground  at  low  water.  The  next  morning 
the  ship  came;  but  they  were  fast,  and  could  not  stir 
until  about  noon.  In  the  mean  time,  the  shipmaster, 
perceiving  how  the  matter  was,  sent  his  boat  to  be 
getting  the  men  aboard,  whom  he  saw  walking  about 
the  shore.  But  after  the  first  boat-full  was  got  aboard, 
and  she  was  ready  to  go  for  more,  the  master  .espied  a 
great  company,  both  horse  aud  foot,  with  bills  and 
guns  and  other  weapons  ;  for  the  country  was  raised 
to  take  them.  The  Dutchman  seeing  that,  swore  his 
country's  oath,  ('sacrament')  and  having  the  wind 
fair,  weighed  his  anchor,  hoisted  sails,  and  away. 

'  But  the  poor  men  which  were  got  on  board  were  in 
great  distress  for  their  wives  and  children,  which  they 
saw  thus  to  be  taken,  and  were  left  destitute  of  their 
helps,  and  themselves  also  not  having  a  cloth  to  shift 


16  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

them  with,  more  than  they  had  on  their  backs,  and 
some  scarce  a  penny  about  them,  all  they  had  being 
on  board  the  bark.  It  drew  tears  from  their  eyes,  and 
any  thing  they  had  they  would  have  given  to  have 
been  on  shore  again.  But  all  in  vain  ;  there  was  no 
remedy;  they  must  thus  sadly  part;  and  afterwards 
endured  a  fearful  storm  at  sea,  being  fourteen  days  or 
more  before  they  arrived  at  their  port :  in  seven  where- 
of they  neither  saw  sun,  moon,  nor  stars,  and  were 
driven  to  the  coast  of  Norway;  the  mariners  them- 
selves often  despairing  of  life,  and  once  with  shrieks 
and  cries  gave  over  all,  as  if  the  ship  had  been  foun- 
dered in  the  sea,  and  they  sinking  without  recovery. 
But  when  man's  hope  and  help  wholly  failed,  the 
Lord's  power  and  mercy  appeared  for  their  recovery; 
for  the  ship  rose  again,  and  gave  the  mariner's  cour- 
age again  to  manage  her;  and  if  modesty  would  suf- 
fer me,  I  might  declare  with  what  fervent  prayers  they 
cried  unto  the  Lord  in  this  great  distress,  especially 
some  of  them,  even  without  any  great  distraction. 
When  the  water  ran  into  their  very  ears  and  mouths, 
and  the  mariners  cried  out,  '  We  sink,  we  sink,'  they 
cried,  if  not  with  miraculous,  yet  with  a  great  height 
of  divine  faith,  '  Yet,  Lord,  thou  canst  save ;  yet, 
Lord,  thou  canst  save  : '  with  such  other  expressions 
as  I  will  forbear.  Upon  which  the  ship  did  not  only 
recover,  but  shortly  after  the  violence  of  the  storm  be- 
gan to  abate,  and  the  Lord  filled  their  afflicted  minds 
with  such  comforts  as  every  one  cannot  understand, 
and  in  the  end  brought  them  to  their  desired  haven  ; 
where  the  people  came  flocking,  admiring  their  deliv- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  17 

erance,  the  storm  having  been  so  long  and  sore,  in 
which  ranch  hurt  had  been  done,  as  the  master's 
friends  had  related  unto  him  in  their  congratulations. 
'But  to  return  to  the  others  where  we  left.  The 
rest  of  the  men  that  were  in  the  greatest  danger  made 
shift  to  escape  away  before  the  troop  could  surprise 
them,  those  only  staying  that  best  might,  to  be  assis- 
tant to  the  women.  But  pitiful  it  was  to  see  the 
heavy  case  of  these  poor  women  in  this  distress ; 
what  weeping  and  crying  on  every  side;  some  for 
their  husbands  that  were  carried  away  in  the  ship,  as 
it  was  before  related  ;  others  not  knowing  what  should 
become  of  them  and  their  little  ones ;  others  melted  in 
tears,  seeing  their  poor  little  ones  hanging  about  them, 
crying  for  fear  and  quaking  with  cold.  Being  thus  ap- 
prehended, they  were  hurried  from  one  place  to  anoth- 
er, and  from  one  justice  to  another,  until,  in  the  end, 
they  knew  not  what  to  do  with  them.  For  to  imprison 
so  many  women  and  innocent  children  for  no  other 
cause,  many  of  them,  but  that  they  would  go  with 
their  husbands,  seemed  to  be  unreasonable,  and  all 
would  cry  out  of  them  ;  and  to  send  them  home  again 
was  as  difficult,  for  they  alleged  (as  the  truth  was) 
they  had  no  homes  to  go  to,  for  they  had  sold  or  oth- 
erwise disposed  of  their  houses  and  livings.  To  be 
short,  after  they  had  been  thus  turmoiled  a  good 
while,  and  conveyed  from  one  constable  to  another, 
they  were  glad  to  be  rid  of  them  in  the  end  upon  any 
terms,  for  all  were  wearied  and  tired  with  them  ; 
though,  in  the  mean  time,  the  poor  souls  endured  mis- 
2* 


18  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

ery  enough;  and  thus  in  the  end  necessity  forced  a 
way  for  them. 

*  But  that  I  be  not  tedious  in  these  things,  I  will 
omit  the  rest,  although  I  might  relate  other  notable 
passages  and  troubles  which  they  endured  and  un- 
derwent in  these  their  wanderings  and  travels,  both 
at  land  and  sea.  But  I  haste  to  other  things.  Yet  I 
may  not  omit  the  fruit  that  came  hereby.  For  by 
these  so  public  troubles  in  so  many  eminent  places 
their  cause  became  famous,  and  occasioned  many  to 
look  into  the  same;  and  their  godly  carnage  and 
christian  behavior  was  such  as  left  a  deep  impression 
in  the  minds  of  many.  And  though  some  few  shrunk 
at  those  first  conflicts  and  sharp  beginnings,  (as  it  was 
no  marvel,)  yet  many  more  came  on  with  fresh  cour- 
age, and  greatly  animated  others;  and  in  the  end, 
notwithst  aiding  all  these  storms  of  opposition,  they 
all  got  over  at  length,  some  at  one  time  and  some  at 
another,  and  met  together  again,  according  to  their 
desires,  with  no  small  rejoicing.' 

We  close  the  present  chapter,by  presenting  to  the 
reader,  the  following  deeply  interesting  sketch  of  the 
embarcation  of  our  Fathers  from  England  for  Holland. 

* '  The  embarcation  of  the  Pilgrims  for  Holland,  is 
deeply  interesting  from  its  circumstances,  and  also  as 
it  marks  the  character  of  the  times,  independently  of 
its  connection  with  names,  now  incorporated  with  the 
history  of  empire. 

t  An  unfrequented  and  barren  heath  on  the  shores 

*  Webster's  Centennial  address,  Dec.  22, 1820. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  19 

of  Lincolnshire  was  the  selected  spot,  where  the  feet 
of  the  Pilgrims,  were  to  tread  for  the  last  time,  the 
land  of  their  fathers. 

1  As  this  scene  passes  before  us,  we  can  hardly  for- 
bear asking,  whether  this  be  a  band  of  malefactors 
and  felons  flying  from  justice  ?  What  are  their  crimes, 
that  they  hide  themselves  in  darkness?  To  what 
punishment  are  they  exposed,  that  to  avoid  it,  men, 
and  women  and  children,  thus  encounter  the  surf  of 
the  north  sea,  and  the  terrors  of  a  night  storm  ?  What 
induces  this  armed  pursuit,  and  this  arrest  of  fugitives, 
of  all  ages  and  both  sexes?  Truth  does  not  allow  us 
to  answer  these  enquiries,  in  a  manner  that  does 
credit  to  the  wisdom  or  the  justice  of  the  times.  This 
was  not  the  flight  of  guilt,  but  of  virtue.  It  was  an 
humble  and  peaceable  religion,  flying  from  causeless 
oppression.  It  was  conscience,  attempting  to  escape 
from  the  arbitrary  rule  of  the  Stuarts.  It  was  Rob- 
inson, and  Brewster,  leading  offtheir  little  band  from 
their  native  soil,  at  first  to  find  shelter  on  the  shores 
of  the  neighboring  continent,  but  ultimately  to  come 
hither  ;  and  having  surmounted  all  difficulties,  and 
braved  a  thousand  dangers,  to  find  here  a  place  of 
refuge  and  rest.  Thanks  be  to  God,  that  this  spot 
was  honored  as  the  asylum  of  religious  liberty.  May 
its  standard,  reared  here,  remain  forever !  May  it  rise 
up  as  high  as  heaven,  till  its  banner  shall  fan  the  air 
of  both  continents,  and  wave  as  a  glorious  ensign  of 
peace  and  security  to  the  Nations  ! ' 


20  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


CHAPTER  III. 

Residence  of  the  Pilgrims  in  Holland —  Thoughts  of 
Removal  from  Ley  den,  and  determination  to  em- 
bark for  America. 

The  arduous  work  of  removal  from  England  to 
Holland  had  now  been  successfully  accomplished  by 
the  Pilgrims,  notwithstanding  the  cruel  persecution, 
by  which  their  progress  had  been  retarded;  a  perse- 
cution which  not  merely  hurled  its  furious  blasts 
against  the  devoted  puritan,  whose  powers  of  endur- 
ance had  been  strengthened  by  long  and  fearless  op- 
position to  unjust  authority;  but  against  women  and 
children,  whose  defenceless  condition  might  have 
excited  the  sympathy  of  barbarism  itself,  instead  of 
inviting  exposure,  to  the  rude  manners  and  rough 
treatment  of  hireling  instruments,  acting  under  the 
color  of  legal  authority.*     But  they  had  found  a  city 

*  There  is  not  one  of  the  acts  for  which  the  fathers  of  New  England 
were  dragged  from  prison  and  exile,  into  which,  at  the  same  time,  it 
was  made  as  hard  as  possible  for  them  to  escape,  for  which  a  man  at 
the  present  day,  could  be  fined  a  shilling.  And,  however  unimportant 
we  may  think  some  of  the  practices  and  ceremonies  against  which 
they  waged  their  strenuous  warfare,  they  are  now  generally  admitted 
in  Protestant  countries  to  be  rightful  matters  of  private  judgment,  in 
which  the  state  has  no  concern.  That  they  are  so  admitted  —  that 
this  great  battle  has  been  fought  and  won  —  is  distinctly  traceable  to 
the  resolution  and  courage  of  the  Puritans. — Everett's  Remarks  at 
Plymouth,  Dec.  22,  1845. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  21 

of  refuge.  Gladness  once  more  illumined  their  path, 
and  gratitude  sought  utterance  in  the  recognition  of 
divine  protection,  with  emotions  not  less  ardent,  than 
those  which  inspired  the  song  of  Moses,  and  the 
timbrel  of  Miriam,  when  of  old,  the  tribes  of  Israel 
found  deliverance  from  the  harsh  yoke  of  Egyptian 
bondage. 

Their  situation  and  prospects  however,  presented 
innumerable  difficulties.  They  had  come  to  a  strange 
land,  the  attachments  of  home  had  been  rudely  sun- 
dered, and  the  unintelligible  sounds  of  a  new  lan- 
guage grated  upon  their  ear.  The  pecuniary  means 
of  the  more  opulent  among  them,  had  been  greatly 
impaired,  by  frequent  imprisonment,  heavy  penalties 
and  the  unavoidable  sacrifices  occasioned  by  a  sudden 
removal.  Accustomed  to  the  peaceful  and  retired 
pursuits  of  husbandry,  they  were  compelled  to  engage 
in  trades  and  other  occupations  peculiar  to  city  life,  to 
insure  the  means  of  future  subsistence.  In  addition 
to  these  inconveniences,  circumstances  rendered  it 
expedient  to  incur  the  expense  of  a  removal  from 
Amsterdam  to  Leyden,*  after  residing  but  a  single 


*  Leyden,  a  celebrated  city  of  Holland, being- the  fourth  in  the  king- 
dom of  the  Netherlands  on  the  Old  Rhine,  21  miles  S.W.  of  Amsterdam, 
and  10  miles  north  east  of  the  Hague.  It  is  said  to  have  had,  in  1G59, 
100,000  inhabitants.  Perhaps  this  statement  is  exaggerated  ;  but  it  is 
said  by  Busching,  to  have  had  in  1733,  10,891  houses,  which  at  an 
avarage  of  seven  individuals  would  give  a  population  of  about  77,000. 
Its  population  in  1837,  exceeded  36,000.  It  is  connected  by  Canals, 
with  Haarlem,  Delft,  and  the  Hague.    See  McCullock's  Gazetteer. 


22  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

year  in  the  former  city  ;  *  an  exchange  of  residence 
in  many  respects,  productive  of  serious  detriment  to 
their  worldly  interests. 

But  these  various  discouragements,  soon  yielded  to 
the  spirit  of  enterprise,  the  force  of  industry,  and  the 
sound  moral  principles  by  which  they  were  governed, 
inspiring  a  just  confidence  among  the  strangers  with 
whom  they  dwelt. 

Not  long  before  their  departure  for  America,  their 
peaceable  and  orderly  conduct  as  men  and  citizens, 
obtained  a  voluntary  and  public  testimonial  of  appro- 
bation from  the  magistrates  of  the  city.  The  talents 
and  learning  of  their  Pastor,  attracted  the  attention  of 
the  University  of  Leyden  ;  his  argumentative  powers 
were  publicly  tested  in  a  controversy  of  great  theo- 
logical interest,  in  which  the  most  distinguished  minds 
of  the  day  were  earnestly  engaged ;  and  his  efforts 


*  Amsterdam,  a  famous  maratime  and  commercial  city  of  Holland, 
capital  Prov.,  N.  Holland,  and  of  a  district  and  canton  of  the  same 
name  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Y,  an  inlet  or  arm  of  the  Zuyder  Zee. 
The  city  is  supposed  to  contain  about  20,000  houses.  In  17S5  the  pop- 
ulation is  said  to  have  amounted  to  235,000 ;  at  present,  it  amounts 
to  about  207,000. 

At  the  time  the  Pilgrims  first  entered  this  '  City  of  Refuge,'  as  it 
has  very  appropriately  been  called,  its  business  was  very  extensive  ; 
its  Bank  was  celebrated  throughout  Europe,  affording  the  best  facili- 
ties for  mercantile  exchanges  throughout  the  world.  The  facilities  for 
every  kind  of  business  were  therefore  greater  at  Amsterdam  than 
Leyden,  and  the  pilgrims  would  doubtless  have  remained,  had  not 
some  difficulties  existing  in  another  English  church  there,  led  them  to 
fear  some  entanglement,  by  which  their  spiritual  relations  might  be 
injuriously  affected. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  23 

upon  that  occasion,  were  highly  appreciated  by  those, 
at  whose  solicitation,  they  were  successfully  exerted. 
The  condition  of  exiles,  under  the  most  favorable 
outward  circumstances,  involves  sacrifices,  connected 
with  the  associations  of  kindred  and  country,  of  which 
none  perhaps  can  form  an  adequate  conception,  who 
have  never  experienced  the  peculiar  trials  of  banish- 
ment. It  was  a  painful  reflection  to  the  pilgrims,  that 
a  strange  land  might  become  the  permanent  inherit- 
ance of  their  posterity.  The  sentiments  of  true 
patriotism  even  under  a  deep  sense  of  injustice, 
experienced  from  our  native  land,  are  not  easily 
extinguished  in  the  human  mind,  and  as  successive 
years  passed  away,  bearing  in  their  progress,  no 
promise  of  essential  improvement  in  their  condition, 
the  thoughts  of  removal  excited  their  attention. 
These  thoughts  derived  earnestness  and  strength 
from  various  considerations.  The  dissolute  habits  of 
city  life  prevailing  around  them,  exposed  their  chil- 
dren to  a  contamination  of  morals,  which  the  most 
vigilant  parental  care  found  it  impossible  wholly  to 
counteract.  The  facilities  to  military  enlistment, 
presented  strong  temptations  to  the  young,  and  led 
them  to  a  course  of  life  repulsive  to  the  principles  of 
the  pilgrims.  The  sabbath,  an  institution  dear  to 
their  recollections,  and  the  object  of  cherished  vener- 
ation, was  openly  violated ;  and  they  yearned  for  a 
more  quiet  enjoyment  of  its  sacred  hours.  '  Lastly, 
and  not  least,'  in  the  words  of  Gov.  Bradford,  '  was  a 
great  hope  and  inward  zeal  they  had  of  laying  some 
good  foundation,  or  at  least  to  make  some  way  there- 


24  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

nnto  for  the  propagating  and  advancing  the  gospel  of 
the  kingdom  of  Christ  into  these  remote  parts  of  the 
world,  yea  though  they  should  be  as  but  stepping 
stones  unto  others  for  performing  so  great  a  work.' 

In  addition  to  these  considerations,  the  adventurous 
spirit  of  the  age,  doubtless  contributed  its  share,  to 
confirm  our  fathers  in  the  resolution  to  remove,  and 
in  some  degree  diminished  the  apprehensions,  nat- 
urally excited  by  so  hazardous  an  undertaking. 

These  considerations  having  been  duly  weighed  by 
the  leading  minds  of  the  Church  of  Leyden,  and  laid 
before  the  whole  body,'  after  various  discussions,  the 
resolution  of  removal  to  America  was  finally  adopted 
by  the  majority,  not  however,  without  many  doubts 
and  fears  as  to  the  eventual  result  of  a  measure, 
fraught  with  so  much  difficulty  and  danger. 

It  was  their  intention  and  final  conclusion,  to  form 
a  distinct  body  by  themselves,  under  the  general 
government  of  Virginia,!  in  the  hope  of  securing 
from  James  the  First,  the  toleration  of  religion,  an 


t  The  Virginia  Company  was  established  by  letters  patent  from 
King  James,  dated  April  10,  1600,  and  included  a  strip  of  land  100 
miles  along  the  eastern  coast  of  North  America,  extending  from  the 
34th  to  the  45th  degree  of  north  latitude.  This  territory  bore  the  name 
of  Virginia,  which  it  originally  received  in  honor  of  Queen  Elizabeth. 
It  was  granted  to  two  distinct  companies,  with  a  view  to  colonization. 
The  first,  or  Southern  Colony  was  granted  to  certain  knights,  gentle- 
men, merchants  and  adventurers  of  London,  who  were  to  colonize 
between  the  34th  and  the  41st  degrees.  The  second,  or  Northern 
Colony  was  granted  to  persons  of  like  description  in  Bristol,  Exeter 
and  Plymouth,  who  were  to  plant  between  the  3Slh  and  the  45th  de- 
grees.   Each  company  was  to  be  under  the  government  of  a  council 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  25 

object  always  nearest  their  hearts,  and  which  it  had 
cost  them  so  ranch  to  maintain.  Two  of  their  num- 
ber, Robert  Cnshman  and  John  Carver,  were  appointed 
in  the  year  1617,  and  dispatched  to  London  for  the 
purpose  of  negotiation  with  the  Virginia  Company, 
designed  to  secure  a  grant  of  territory,  and  at  the 
same  time  to  obtain,  if  possible,  from  the  King,  a 
promise  of  security  for  the  rights  of  conscience. 

These  agents  were  subjected  1o  many  delays  and 
impediments  in  accomplishing  the  object  of  their 
mission,  and  returned  to  Leyden  in  May  1618,  with 
encouragement  from  the  Virginia  Company,  in  rela- 
tion to  a  grant  of  territory  and  a  promise  on  the  part 
of  James  the  First,  '  that  the  King  would  connive  at 
them,  and  not  molest  them,  provided  they  carried 
peaceably.'  But  to  allow  or  tolerate  them  under  his 
seal,  would  not  be  granted.  The  connivance  of  the 
crown  as  respected  toleration,  may  fairly  be  ascribed 
to  the  prevailing  rivalship  of  colonization  at  that  time 
existing  among  the  sovereigns  of  Europe  ;  and  the 

of  13,  and  neither  was  to  plant  a  colony  within  a  hundred  miles  of 
any  previous  settlement  made  by  the  other. 

In  the  year  1620,  November  3d,  a  new  patent  was  signed  by  King 
James,  whilst  the  pilgrims  were  on  their  passage.  This  patent  incor- 
porated the  adventurers,  the  Duke  of  Lenox  and  others,  between  40 
and  48  degrees  of  north  latitude.  They  were  styled  the  council  estab- 
lished at  Plymouth,  in  the  county  of  Devon,  for  the  planting,  ruling, 
ordering  and  governing  of  New  England  in  America,  ;  which  is  the 
great  and  civil  basis,'  says  Prince,  '  of  all  the  future  patents  and  plan- 
tations that  divide  this  country.' 

See  Judge  Davis'  Edition  of  the  N.  E.  Memorial,  page  22,  and 
Young's  Chronicles  of  the  Pilgrims,  page  54. 

3 


26  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

profitable  extension  of  empire,  doubtless,  reconciled 
King  James  to  a  reluctant  concession,  by  which  his 
subjects  were  barely  permitted  the  unmolested  liberty 
of  worship  in  a  savage  wilderness,  three  thousand 
miles  from  the  good  city  of  London.  The  determi- 
nation of  James,  to  withhold  absolute  protection  to 
the  rights  of  conscience  under  his  hand  and  seal, 
produced  great  dissatisfaction  among  the  church  at 
Leyden,  and  many  were  disposed  to  abandon  the 
enterprise,  without  securing  conditions  which  they 
deemed  of  indispensable  importance;  but  after  ample 
discussion  two  other  messengers  were  selected  in  the 
month  of  Feb.,  1619,  namely,  Robert  Cushman  and 
Elder  William  Brewster,*  to  prosecute  further  negotia- 
tions with  the  Virginia  Company,  and  secure  a  patent 
upon  the  best  attainable  conditions ;  and  to  engage 
with  such  merchants  and  other  friends,  as  had  pre- 
viously expressed  a  willingness  to  embark  in  their 
intended  enterprise.  For  effecting  these  objects,  the 
agents  were  instructed,  respecting  the  terms  on  which 
an  arrangement  should  be  made,  and  were  to  conclude 
nothing  definitely,  without  further  advice. 

Under  these  instructions  the  agents  proceeded  to 
the  performance  of  their  duties,  and,  after  many  delays 
and  discouragements,  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  patent 
confirmed  under  the  company's  seal,  which  by  the 
advice  of  friends  was  not  taken  out  in  the  name  of 
any  in  their  own  company,  but  in  that  of  John  Win- 

*  Not  Bradford  as  stated  in  Prince  and  others.     See   Young's 
Chronicles. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  27 

cob,  then  belonging  to  the  family  of  the  Countess  of 
Lincoln,  who  intended  to  join  them,  but  from  some 
cause  was  prevented.  The  Charter  was  never  used, 
though  procured,  by  great  labor  and  at  much  expense. 
This  patent  was  sent  to  Leyden,  for  the  consideration 
of  all  concerned,  with  several  proposals  for  their  trans- 
migration, made  by  Mr.  Thomas  Weston,  a  London 
merchant,  and  such  other  merchants  and  friends  as 
should  adventure  or  go  with  them,  and  they  were 
requested  speedily  to  prepare  for  the  voyage. 

The  conditions  upon  which  the  Pilgrims  contracted 
with  the  Merchant  Adventurers  of  London,  as  they 
were  called,  for  their  transportation  to  America,  indi- 
cate the  exhausted  state  of  their  pecuniary  means, 
and  would  probably  never  have  obtained  their  assent, 
under  circumstances  not  imposed  by  absolute  neces- 
sity. We  place  these  conditions  before  the  reader, 
that  a  just  estimate  may  be  formed  of  the  'hard 
terms,'  upon  which  the  emigration  of  our  Fathers 
depended,  which  were  as  follows: 

1.  The  adventurers  and  planters  do  agree,  that 
every  person  that  goeth,  being  sixteen  years  old  and 
upward,  be  rated  at  ten  pounds,  and  that  ten  pounds 
be  accounted  a  single  share. 

2.  That  he  that  goeth  in  person,  and  furnisheth 
himself  out  with  ten  pounds,  either  in  money  or  other 
provisions,  be  accounted  as  having  twenty  pounds  in 
stock,  and  in  the  division  shall  receive  a  double  share. 

3.  The  persons  transported  and  the  adventurers 
shall  continue  their  joint  stock  and  partnership  the 


28  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

space  of  seven  years,  except  some  unexpected  impe- 
diments do  cause  the  whole  Company  to  agree  other- 
wise ;  daring  which  time  all  profits  and  benefits  that 
are  gotten  by  trade,  traffic,  trucking,  working,  fishing, 
or  any  other  means,  of  any  other  person  or  persons, 
shall  remain  still  in  the  common  stock  until  the 
division. 

4.  That  at  their  coming  there  they  shall  choose  out 
such  a  number  of  fit  persons  as  may  furnish  their  ships 
and  boats  for  fishing  upon  the  sea;  employing  the  rest 
in  their  several  faculties  upon  the  land,  as  building 
houses,  tilling  and  planting  the  ground,  and  making 
such  commodities  as  shall  be  most  useful  for  the 
Colony. 

5.  That  at  the  end  of  the  seven  years,  the  capital 
and  the  profits,  viz.  the  houses,  lands,  goods,  and  chat- 
tels, be  equally  divided  among  the  adventurers.  If 
any  debt  or  detriment  concerning  this  adventure  # 

6.  Whosoever  cometh  to  the  Colony  hereafter,  or 
putteth  any  thing  into  the  stock,  shall  at  the  end  of 
the  seven  years  be  allowed  proportionally  to  the  time 
of  his  so  doing. 

7.  He  that  shall  carry  his  wife,  or  children,  or  ser- 
vants, shall  be  allowed  for  every  person,  now  aged 
sixteen  years  and  upward,  a  single  share  in  the  divi- 
sion ;  or  if  he  provide  them  necessaries,  a  double  share ; 
or  if  they  be  between  ten  years  old  and  sixteen,  then 
two  of  them  to  be  reckoned  for  a  person,  both  in 
transportation  and  division. 

*  Some  additional  article  was  probably  intended  to  be  inserted. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE     PILGRIMS.  29 

8.  That  such  children  that  now  go  and  are  under 
the  age  of  ten  years,  have  no  other  share  in  the 
division  than  fifty  acres  of  un manured  land. 

9.  That  such  persons  as  die  before  the  seven  years 
be  expired,  their  executors  to  have  their  parts  or  share 
at  the  division,  proporiionably  to  the  time  of  their  life 
in  the  Colony. 

10.  That  all  such  persons  as  are  of  the  Colony  are 
to  have  meat,  drink,  and  apparel,  and  all  provisions, 
out  of  the  common  stock  and  goods  of  the  said 
Colony. 

These  conditions,  as  we  have  observed,  were  re- 
luctantly assented  to,  on  the  part  of  those  concerned 
in  the  enterprise  of  emigration,  but  Mr.  Cushman, 
their  principal  agent,  as  Gov.  Bradford  observes, 
'.  answered  the  complaints,  that  unless  they  so  ordered 
the  conditions,  the  whole  design  would  have  fallen  to 
the  ground,  and  necessity  they  said  having  no  law, 
they  were  constrained  to  be  silent.' 

The  foregoing  articles  of  agreement  between  the 
adventurers  and  planters,  which  properly  enough 
might  be  termed  articles  of  Copartnership,  contain  no 
conditions  upon  which  it  should  be  inferred,  that  a 
community  of  goods  in  the  proper  sense  of  that  phrase, 
was  intended  or  existed  among  the  pilgrims  ;  and  no 
just  grounds  appear  for  the  hasty  and  inconsiderate 
opinions,  assumed  by  several  historians,  that  such 
was  the  fact.  Those  who  engaged  in  the  voyage, 
required  the  means  of  transportation  to  America,  and 
capital  to  embark  in  trade  upon  their  arrival. 
3* 


30  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

The  whole  stock  was  divided  into  shares;  stipulated 
sums  were  to  be  paid  by  those  who  did  not  personally 
adventure,  as  colonists  —  while  those  who  did,  with 
their  families  included,  were  to  render  their  services 
at  given  rates,  and  to  receive  at  the  expiration  of  the 
seven  years,  their  proportional  profits.  The  alterations 
afterwards  made  by  the  planters,  modifying,  in  some 
measure,  the  original  agreement,  were  the  result  of 
unforeseen  emergencies,  arising  soon  after  their  arri- 
val, and  were  in  no  respect  detrimental  to  the  general 
interest. 

History  affords  but  scanty  information,  as  respects 
the  Merchant  Adventurers*  Most  of  them  were 
doubtless  influenced  in  their  connection  with  the 
Pilgrims,  by  the  hope  of  gain,  while  Shirly,  Hatherly, 
Collier,  Thomas,  Beauchamp,  and  some  others,  were 
guided  by  far  higher  aims,  in  which  the  considerations 
of  profit,  had  but  a  secondary  place. 

Arrangements  were  now  concluded,  and  the  best 
practicable  preparations  made  for  the  long  projected 
voyage.  A  small  ship  of  sixty  tons  burthen  was  pro- 
cured in  Holland,  to  transport  a  part  of  their  company 

*  The  celebrated  Capt.  John  Smith  thus  speaks  of  them,  writing-  in 
1624.  '  The  adventurers  which  raised  the  stock  to  begin  and  supply 
this  plantation,  were  about  seventy,  some  merchants,  some  handicrafts- 
men, some  adventuring  great  sums,  some  small,  as  their  affection 
served.  These  dwelt  most  about  London.  They  are  not  a  corpora- 
tion, but  knit  together  by  a  voluntary  combination  in  a  society,  with- 
out constraint  or  penalty,  aiming  to  do  good  and  plant  religion.'  The 
names  of  the  adventurers,  as  they  existed  in  1626,  will  be  found  in 
Appendix  A.  of*  this  work. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  31 

to  America,  and  to  remain  there  for  the  purpose  of 
fishing,  and  such  other  services  as  the  wants  of  the 
Colony  might  require,  on  their  arrival  at  the  place  of 
destination. 

Another  ship  called  the  Mayflower,  of  one  hundred 
and  eighty  tons  burthen,  was  chartered  at  London, 
and  was  ordered  to  Southampton  *  at  which  place 
both  vessels  were  to  meet,  and  embark  in  company, 
for  America. 

*  Southampton  is  a  seaport  and  market  town  of  England,  being  a 
County  of  itself  in  Hampshire,  at  the  embouchere  of  the  itchen,  in  an 
inlet  of  the  sea  called  Southampton  Sea,  70  miles  W.  S.  W.  of  Lon- 
don. This  place  was  the  rendezvous  of  Winthrop's  fleet,  when  pre- 
paring for  the  transportation  of  his  Colony  to  Massachusetts  Bay. 


32  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Embarcation  of  the  Pilgrims  at  Delj 't-  Haven,  July 
22d,  1620. 


1  But  lo !  ordained  by  Heaven's  decree, 
The  pilgrims  raise  their  banner  free, 
Resolved  from  Leyden's  exiled  home, 
In  distant  lands  again  to  roam. 

•  The  bark  is  moored  and  waiting  rides, 
Along  Delft-haven's  friendly  tides, 
And  thither  wend  the  young  and  old, 
The  stricken  flock  of  Christ's  blest  fold. 

1  But  sad  the  hour  of  parting  grief, 
That  seeks  in  vain  from  earth  relief, 
What  pen  shall  write,  what  tongue  may  tell, 
The  melting  tones  of  that  farewell.' 

The  embarcation  from  Delft-haven,  designates  a 
point  of  exciting  interest  in  the  history  of  the  pilgrims, 
and  whether  we  regard  it  as  a  striking  development 
of  the  purest  affections,  and  higher  principles  of  our 
nature.or  with  reference  to  its  general  results  on  human 
affairs,  possesses  the  strongest  claims  to  attention, 
from  the  orator,  poet  and  painter. 

Holland,  at  this  point  of  time,  engrossed  a  large 


RECOLLECTIONS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  33 

share  of  the  tonnage  owned  by  all  Europe*  and  the 
preparations,  for  even  a  remote  voyage  of  a  vessel 
sixty  tons  burthen  only,  were  not  of  nn frequent  occur- 
rence. Truth  requires  us  not  to  confound  the  indi- 
viduals concerned  in  this  event  amonsr  the  ordi- 
nary  adventurers  of  that  time  —  but  as  influenced 
by  motives  of  the  highest  order,  as  the  honored 
instruments  of  opening  a  new  theatre  of  human 
action  —  where  freedom,  exhausted  in  her  conflicts 
with  the  corruption  of  accumulated  ages,  might  break 
from  the  old  world,  and  breathe  the  invigorating  at- 
mosphere of  the  new. 

The  parting  scene  at  Leyden  is  thus  described  in 
Gov.  Bradford's  history,  from  which  extracts  have 
previously  been  made.  '  So  being  ready  to  depart, 
they  had  a  day  of  solemn  humiliation,  their  pastor 
taking  his  text  from  Ezra  the  8th,  21,  upon  which 
he  spent  a  part  of  the  day  very  profitably,  and  very 
suitably  to  iheir  present  occasion.  The  rest  of  the 
time  was  spent  in  pouring  out  prayers  to  the  lord, 

*  c  Without  entering  into  particulars,  it  is  sufficient  to  state,  as  illus- 
trative of  the  trade  of  Holland,  that  in  1690,  when  it  had  attained  to  a 
maximum,  Sir  William  Petty  estimated  the  whole  shipping  of  Europe 
at  2,000,000  ions,  of  which  he  supposed  the  Dutch  to  possess  900,000 
tons,  and  it  is  believed  that  this  estimate  was  rather  within,  than  be- 
yond the  mark.'  —  Mc  Outlook's   Gazetteer,  Edit.  1843. 

It  is  perhaps  well  deserving  our  attention,  as  illustrating  the  growth 
of  commerce  in  America,  that  our  present  tonnage,  exceeds  that  owned 
by  all  Europe,  at  the  lime  of  embarcation,  when  our  rivers,  bays  and 
oceans,  possessed  no  better  means  of  water  communication,  than  a 
birch  canoe,  or  by  way  of  improvement,  a  log  of  the  larger  class,  dug 
out,  with  much  labor,  by  some  Indian  shipwright. 


34  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

with  great  fervency,  mixed  with  abundance  of  tears. 
And  the  time  being  come  when  they  must  depart, 
they  were  accompanied  with  most  of  their  brethren 
out  of  the  city  unto  a  town  sundry  miles  off  called 
Delft-Haven,  where  the  ship  lay  ready  to  receive 
them.  So  they  left  that  good  and  pleasant  city, 
which  had  been  their  resting  place  near  twelve 
years.  But  they  knew  they  were  PILGRIMS*  and 
looked  not  much  on  those  things,  but  lifted  up  their 
eyes  to  heaven,  their  dearest  country,  and  so  quieted 
their  spirits.  When  they  came  to  the  place,  they 
found  the  ship  and  all  things  ready,  and  such  of  their 
friends  as  could  not  come  with  them,  followed  after 
them,  and  sundry  also  came  from  Amsterdam  t  to  see 
them  shipped,  and  to  take  their  leave  of  them. 
That  night  was  spent  with  little  sleep  by  the  most, 
but  with  friendly  entertainment  and  christian  dis- 
course, and  other  real  expressions  of  true  christian 
love.  The  next  day  (July  22d,)  the  wind  being  fair, 
they  went  on  board  and  their  friends  with  them ; 
when  truly  doleful  was  the  sight  of  that  sad  and 
mournful  parting ;  to  see  what  sighs,  and  sobs,  and 
prayers  did  sound  amongst  them  ;  what  tears  did  gush 

*  I  think  I  may  wilh  singular  propriety  call  their  lives  a  pilgrimage. 
Most  of  them  left  England  about  the  year  1609,  after  the  truce  with 
the  Spaniards,  young  men  between  twenty  and  thirty  years  of  age. 
They  spent  near  twelve  years  among  the  Dutch,  first  at  Amsterdam, 
afterwards  at  Leyden.  After  having  arrived  to  the  meridian  of  life, 
the  declining  part  was  to  be  spent  in  another  world,  among  savages, 
of  whom  every  European  must  have  received  a  most  unfavorable,  if 
not  formidable  idea.  —  Hutchinson,  History  Mass.  2.  452. 

f  About  50  miles  from  Delft- Haven. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  35 

from  every  eye,  and  pithy  speeches  pierced  each 
other's  heart;  that  sundry  of  the  Dutch  strangers, 
that  stood  on  the  quay  as  spectators  could  not  refrain 
from  tears.  Yet  comfortable  and  sweet  it  was  to  see 
such  lively  and  true  expressions  of  dear  and  unfeigned 
love.  But  the  tide,  which  stays  for  no  man,  calling 
them  away  that  were  thus  loth  to  depart,  their  reverend 
pastor,  falling  down  upon  his  knees,  and  they  all  with 
him,  with  watery  cheeks  commended  them,  with 
most  fervent  prayers  to  the  Lord,  and  his  blessing ; 
and  then  with  mutual  embraces  and  many  tears,  they 
took  their  leaves  of  one  another,  which  proved  their 
last  leave  to  many  of  them.  Thus  hoisting,  with  a 
prosperous  wind,  we  came  in  a  short  time  to  South- 
ampton, where  they  found  the  bigger  ship  come  from 
London,  lying  ready  with  all  the  rest  of  their  com- 
pany.' 

It  was  doubtless  a  source  of  keenest  regret,  that 
various  considerations,  imposed  by  necessity,  or 
recommended  by  prudence,  required  an  arrangement, 
by  which  only  a  part  of  the  congregation  of  Robinson, 
should  undertake  the  hazardous  experiment  of  colo- 
nization. This  arrangement  necessarily  subjected 
them  to  a  painful  separation,  imparting  to  the  scene 
of  embarcation,  the  mingled  emotions  of  doubt,  hope, 
fear  and  affection,  to  a  degree  of  intensity  which 
renders  the  power  of  language  an  insufficient  medium 
of  adequate  description. 

To  form  just  conclusions  respecting  prominent 
events,  deeply  affecting  the  condition  of  mankind. 


36  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

perhaps  no  better  method  can  be  adopted,  than  to 
select  those  of  simultaneous  occurrence  ;  to  observe 
the  different  degree  of  interest,  with  which  they 
were  respectively  regarded  at  the  time,  trace  the 
different  consequences  by  which  they  have  been 
followed  in  the  lapse  of  ages,  and  from  this  comparative 
examination,  determine  the  just  value  and  extent 
of  their  influence  on  human  affairs.  In  accordance 
with  this  remark,  the  embarcation  at  Delft- Haven, 
and  the  thirty  years  war  of  Europe,  have  been  happily 
designated,  as  affording  appropriate  subjects  of  just 
comparison.  The  one  was  peaceful  and  unobtrus- 
ive, sanctioned  by  the  fervent  solemnities  of  religion, 
under  the  direction  of  individuals,  whose  previous 
history  had  formed  a  school  of  the  severest  trials, 
in  defence  of  christian  liberty,  eminently  adapted 
to  prepare  them  for  the  still  sharper  conflicts  and 
perils  which  in  fearful  array  hung  over  the  dubious 
horizon  of  their  future  progress.  It  was  the  faith, 
full  of  immortality,  thus  nurtured  and  established, 
that  imparted  the  strength, by  which  they  unreservedly 
resigned  their  future  destiny,  in  the  patience  of  hope 
and  the  labor  of  love,  to  the  control  of  infinite  wisdom, 
and  the  protection  of  Him,  who  holds  the  waters  as  in 
the  hollow  of  his  hand. 

The  other  event  was  signalized,  by  the  pomp  and 
circumstance  of  miscalled  glorious  war.  The  trumpet 
which  summoned  the  opposing  hosts  to  combat, 
caught  the  ear,  and  riveted  the  gaze  of  mankind,  and 
the  blood  of  thousands  was  poured  out  like  water,  on 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  37 

the  altar  of  vengeance.  The  din  of  battle  has  ceased. 
The  warriors  of  that  day  sleep  in  the  '  dust  and  ashes ' 
of  silent  forgetfulness;  and  the  tide  of  time  bears  on 
its  bosom  hardly  a  ripple,  to  remind  us  of  the  tempest 
by  which  it  was  lashed  into  furious  agitation.  But 
the  Pilgrims  amidst  the  shades  of  obscurity,  unheeded 
by  the  world's  applauding  gaze,  pursued  the  solitary, 
noiseless  tenor  of  their  way,  across  the  ocean,  and 
established  the  foundations  of  empire  ;  now  expanded 
from  the  bleak  shores  which  they  first  explored,  to 
the  waves  of  the  distant  Pacific,  '  and  there  is  no 
speech  nor  language  where  their  voice  is  not  heard.' 

With  the  following  remarks  on  this  interesting 
subject  we  close  the  present  chapter. 

1  The  embarcation  at  Delft- Haven,  that  scene  of 
interest  unparalleled,  on  which  a  pencil  of  your  own* 
has  just  enabled  us  to  look  back  with  tears  and 
praise,  and  sympathy,  and  the  fond  pride  of  children  ; 
that  scene  of  few  and  simple  incidents ;  just  the  set- 
ting out  of  a  handful  of,  not  then,  very  famous  persons, 
on  a  voyage,  but  which,  as  we  gaze  on  it,  begins  to 
speak  to  you,  as  with  the  voices  and  melodies  of  an 
immortal  hymn,  which  dilates  and  becomes  idolized 
into  the  auspicious  going  forth  of  a  colony,  whose 
planting  has  changed  the  history  of  the  world ;  —  a 


*  In  allusion  to  Weir's  Picture  of  the  Embarcation  of  the  Pilgrims 
from  Delft- Haven  in  Holland,  which  was  then  exhibiting  in  several 
cities  of  the  Union,  and  which  has  since  been  placed  in  one  of  the 
panels  in  the  Rotunda  of  the  Capitol  at  Washington.  For  a  descrip- 
tion of  this  Painting,  see  Appendix  A. 
4 


38  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,   AND 

noble  colony  of  devoted  christians,  —  educated,  firm 
men,  valiant  soldiers,  and  honorable  women ;  a  col- 
ony, on  the  commencement  of  whose  heroic  enter- 
prise, the  selectest  influences  of  religion  seemed  to 
be  descending  visibly ;  and  beyond  whose  perilous 
path  are  hung,  the  rainbow  and  the  western  star  of 
empire.' * 

*  Choate's  Oration  at  New  York,  Dec.  22d,  1S43. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  39 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  Departure  of  the  Mayflower  and  Speedwell  for 

America  —  Incidents  of  the    Voyage  —  Arrival 

at   Cape   Cod. 

The  Ship  Mayflower,  Mr.  Jones,  master,  having 
arrived  from  London  to  Southampton,  after  waiting 
seven  days,  was  joined  by  the  Speedwell,  Mr.  Rey- 
nolds, master,  from  Delft- Haven ;  and  active  prepar- 
ations were  made  for  a  prompt  prosecution  of  the 
voyage  —  aided  by  Mr.  Weston,  one  of  the  merchant 
adventurers  of  London,  who  had  come  for  that  pur- 
pose. Seven  hundred  pounds  sterling,  were  laid  out 
at  Southampton,  and  seventeen  hundred  pounds 
more  as  an  adventure.  A  letter  from  Mr.  Robinson, 
their  pastor,  without  date,  but  probably  written  the 
27th  of  July,  addressed  to  his  '  loving  christian  friends,' 
was  received  by  Mr.  Carver,  and  read  to  the  whole 
company.  This  letter  was  deeply  fraught  with  the 
excellent  spirit  of  its  distinguished  author,  and  was 
gratefully  received  by  those,  who  had  so  long  enjoyed 
the  benefits  of  his  ministry. 

The  company  was  conveniently  distributed  into 
both  ships,  and  a  governor  and  several  assistants 
were  appointed  for  each,  to  have  the  oversight  of  all 


40  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

on  board.  They  embarked  from  Southampton  on  the 
5th  day  of  August,  1620.  They  had  not  proceeded 
far,  however,  before  Mr.  Reynolds  of  the  Speedwell 
complained  that  his  ship  was  in  so  leaky  a  condition 
that  he  feared  to  proceed  further,  and  on  the  I3lh  of 
August,  both  vessels  put  into  Dartmouth.  The 
Speedwell  having  undergone  what  were  deemed 
adequate  repairs,  both  vessels  put  to  sea  again  on 
the  21st  of  August.  After  proceeding  about  one 
hundred  leagues  beyond  the  land's  end  of  England, 
Mr.  Reynolds  again  complained  of  his  ship,  and  the 
danger  of  foundering,  if  they  proceeded  on  the 
voyage,  when  both  vessels  entered  the  harbor  of 
Plymouth.  On  a  second  examination  of  the  Speed- 
well, no  particular  injury  seemed  to  have  been  sus- 
tained, and  the  general  weakness  of  the  ship  was 
assigned  as  the  cause  of  difficulty,  though  it  after- 
wards appeared,  that  the  deception  of  Reynolds  and 
others  was  the  main  cause  of  the  serious  and  repeated 
delays  to  which  they  had  been  subjected,  and  which 
proved  highly  injurious  to  their  future  interests.  It 
was  now  determined  to  dismiss  the  Speedwell,  and 
such  part  of  the  whole  company  as  could  not  be 
accommodated  in  the  Mayflower.*     It  was  decided 

*  Though  it  is  not  improbable,,  that  as  respected  some  of  the  passen- 
gers appointed  to  return  in  the  Speedwell  with  Mr.  Cushman,  refer- 
ence was  had  to  their  relative  ability  to  aid  in  the  arduous  labor  of 
establishing  the  intended*  colony,  there  seems  no  reason  to  conclude, 
as  some  historians  have  intimated  and  asserted,  that  they  were  timid; 
or  discouraged.  The  spirit,  not  of  fear,  but  of  a  sound  mind,  appears  to. 
have  generally  pervaded  the  whole  body  of  emigrants  ;  and  Rober'l 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  41 

that  Mr.  Cushman  and  his  family,  and  others,  about 
twenty  in  all,  should  return  to  London.  Another  sad 
parting  scene  occurred,  and  the  Mayflower  on  the 
6th  day  of  September,  once  more  spread  her  canvass 
to  a  favorable  breeze.  But  the  fair  prospects  which 
cheered  the  pilgrims,  when  leaving  the  shores  of  Eng- 
land for  the  last  time,  were  soon  clouded ;  contrary 
winds  opposed  their  progress  ;  fierce  storms  assailed 
them  ;  the  upper  works  of  the  ship  were  injured,  and 
became  leaky ;  one  of  the  main  beams  was  wrenched 
from  its  place  ;  serious  doubts  existed  whether  it 
would  be  practicable  to  pursue  the  voyage ;  and  a  con- 
sultation of  the  principal  seamen  and  passengers  was 
held.  But  the  ship  proving  strong  under  water,  the 
beam  was  restored  to  its  proper  position  by  means  of 
a  screw,  strongly  secured  by  the  carpenter,  and  they 
continued  their  voyage.  '  And  so,  after  many  boister- 
ous storms,  in  which  they  could  bear  no  sail,  but 
were  forced  to  lie  at  hull  for  many  days  together, 
after  long  being  at  sea,  (on  the  9th  of  Nov.)  they  fell 
in  with  the  land,  called  Cape  Cod,  the  which  being 
made  and  certainly  known  to  be  it,  they  were  not  a 
little  joyful/ 

Cushman  was  the  last  individual  among  them  on  whose  character  for 
self  devotion,  intelligence  and  courage,  the  slightest  breath  of  suspicion 
should  rest.  v 


4* 


42  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AJO? 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Exploration  of  Cape    Cod —  Compact  on  hoard  the 
Mayfloiver  —  Landing  at  Plymouth. 

The  sensations  of  delight  with  which  the  sight  of 
land  was  hailed  by  the  pilgrims,  awakened  sentiments 
of  ardent  gratitude,  which  found  expression  in  devout 
acknowledgments  to  Heaven^  for  preservation  through 
the  multiplied  difficulties  and  imminent  dangers  to 
which  they  had  been  exposed  in  their  passage  across 
the  ocean.  It  was  their  intention  to  settle  at  or  near 
Hudson's  River,*  according  to  the  agreement  made 

*  The  following  remarks  are  copied  from  a  note  in  YoungTs  Chron- 
icles of  the  Pilgrims.  '  Morton  in  his  Memorial,  gives  another  account 
of  the  matter.  He  says,  page  34,  •  Their  putting  into  this  place  ( Cape 
Cod  Harbor)  was  partly  by  reason  of  a  storm,  by  which  they  were 
forced  in,  but  more  especially  by  the  fraudulency  and  contrivance  of 
Mr.  Jones,  the  master  of  the  ship  ;  for  their  intention  as  before  noted, 
and  his  engagement  was  to  Hudson's  River.  But  some  of  the  Dutch 
having  notice  of  their  intentions,  and  having  thoughts  about  the  same 
time  of  erecting  a  plantation  there  likewise,  they  fraudulently  hired  the 
said  Jones,  by  delays  while  they  were  in  England,  and  now  under  the 
pretence  of  the  shoals,  &c.  to  disappoint  them  in  their  going  thither. 
He  adds  in  a  note,  '  Of  this  plot  betwixt  the  Dutch  and  Mr.  Jones,  1 
have  had  late  and  certain  intelligence.'  But  the  cotemporary  narra- 
tives, written  by  Bradford  and  Winslow,  say  nothing  about  the  treach- 
ery of  the  captain.    Nor  does  Bradford's  history,  as  quoted  by  Prince,. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS  43 

previous  to  their  departure  from  England  ;  but  the  land 
at  first  so  gladly  welcomed,  after  the  fatigues  of  a 
long  and  boisterous  voyage,  was  widely  remote  from 
the  point  of  destination,  and  the  attempt  to  reach  it, 
was  obstructed  by  the  dangerous  shoals  they  encoun- 
tered, which  obliged  them  to  return  to   Cape  Cod. 

page  162,  who  is  therefore  obliged  to  derive  this  statement  from  Mor- 
ton. Morton  is  the  first  to  mention  it,  and  he  does  it  in  a  book, 
printed  in  1669  ;  and  in  his  book,  half  a  century  after  the  event  is  said 
to  have  occurred,  he  says,  it  is  true, '  that  he  had  late  and  certain  intel- 
ligence of  this  plot.'  If  it  had  been  early  intelligence,  it  would  have 
been  more  certain.  But  Morton  was  only  eleven  years  old  when  he 
came  over  with  his  father  to  Plymouth  in  1623,  and  when  he  published 
his  book,  all  the  first  comers  were  dead  who  could  have  furnished 
credible  information  on  this  point  —  they  had  died,  and  '  given  no  sign.' 
The  foregoing  remarks  do  not  appear  to  rest  upon  sufficient  grounds, 
to  discredit  the  positive,  unqualified  declaration  of  Sec.  Morton, 
that  he  had  '  late  and  certain  intelligence  of  this  plot.'  It  is  evident 
that  credible  information  might  have  been  obtained,  with  reference  to 
this  matter,  in  1669,  from  John  Howland,  who  then  lived  in  Plymouth, 
and  died  there  in  1672,  and  from  John  Alden  who  lived  in  Duxbury, 
and  died  in  16S7,  both  of  whom  were  '  first  comers  '  of  the  Mayflower, 
and  whose  authority  none  would  deny  as  standing  second  to  no  other. 
It  must  be  admitted  that  Morton,  as  an  intimate  relation  of  Gov. 
Bradford,  and  from  his  official  situation  as  Secretary  of  the  Colony, 
for  many  years,  during  his  administration,  possessed  the  best  means  of 
procuring  information,  on  all  subjects  of  Colonial  history,  whether 
early  or  late.  The  silence  of  Bradford  and  Winslow,  in  their  early 
histories,  does  not  seem  conclusive  on  this  point,  and  may  have  been 
the  result  of  prudential  considerations,  rendering  it  inexpedient  to  pub- 
lish any  remarks  implicating  Capt.  Jones,  on  account  of  his  connection 
with  the  merchant  adventurers,  or  for  want  of  definite  information  at 
that  time.  It  is  further  not  impossible,  that  as  an  early  and  mutually 
beneficial  intercourse  was  opened,  between  the  pilgrims  and  the  Dutch 
at  New  Amsterdam,  allusions  to  this  subject  might  have  beenpruden- 
tially  avoided,  to  prevent  any  occurrence,  that  would  endanger  their 


44  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

They  were  now  in  great  perplexity ;  in  a  strange, 
unexplored  region,  without  the  bounds  of  their  patent ; 
and  winter  was  fast  approaching.  The  captain  of  the 
Mayflower  urged  them,  forthwith  to  find  some  place 
of  settlement,  and  intimations  were  given  that  unless 

good  understanding.  It  is  matter  of  history,  that  both  Isaac  Allerton, 
and  Thomas  Willet,  were,  in  the  latter  period  of  their  life,  occasionally 
residents  with  the  Dutch  at  New  Amsterdam,  from  whom  it  is  quite 
possible,  if  not  probable,  that  'the  late  and  certain  information'  of 
which  Secretary  Morton  writes,  was  received. 

It  is  somewhat  singular  at  least,  that  Capt.  Jones,  after  the  well 
known  voyages  of  Gosnold  and  Smith,  should  have  steered  his  course 
for  Hudson's  River,  and  have  found  himself  so  remote  from  the  point  of 
destination.  But  little  is  said  of  Capt.  Jones  in  early  history,  and  that 
little  is  not  much  to  his  credit.  His  impatience  at  Cape  Cod,  at  a 
time,  perhaps  more  trying  to  the  Pilgrims  than  that  of  any  other  in  their 
history ;  the  intimation  (according  to  Gov.  Bradford's  History)  from 
him  and  his  seamen,  that  they  would  be  left  to  shift  for  themselves, 
would  not  seem  to  recommend  his  memory  much  to  our  favorable  re- 
gard. Bradford  and  Winslow,  however  silent  with  respect  to  Jones, 
are  decided  in  their  charge  of  duplicity  on  the  part  of  Reynolds,  the 
master  of  the  Speedwell ;  and  that  some  collusion  existed  between 
them  and  the  early  Dutph  settlers  is  highly  probable,  an  inference, 
which  accords  with  uniform  tradition,  since  the  Memorial  was  published 
in  1669  ;  and  from  the  positive  testimony  of  Secretary  Morton,  whose 
claims  to  confidence  in  matters  of  fact,  whatever  other  faults  he  may 
have  had  as  an  historian,  rest  upon  grounds  not  easily  shaken.  The 
remark,  '  if  it  had  been  early  intelligence,  it  would  have  been  more 
certain]  is  more  epigrammatic  than  sound.  In  cases  of  fraudulent 
contrivance,  time  is  the  great  truth-teller,  and  the  latest  intelligence  is 
often  the  surest.  Prince,  in  his  N.  E.  Chronology  p.  67,  observes, 
1  In  the  spring  of  1620  Capt.  Dermer  returns  to  New  England.  In  his 
way  he  meets  with  certain  Hollanders,  who  had  a  trade  in  Hudson's 
river  some  years.'  These  Hollanders  may  have  been  the  same  men- 
tioned by  Edward  "Winslow,  from  whom  the  Pilgrims  received  '  large 
offers '  if  they  would  '  go  under  them  to  Hudson's  River.' 


■  >^- 


ALLTN  1 1 


A 


[ 


FULLER  ORAD.LI 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  45 

this  were  speedily  accomplished,  the  vessel  would 
leave  them  to  their  fate. 

On  the  11th  day  of  November,  the  Mayflower 
arrived  and  anchored  at  Cape  Cod  Harbor,*  having 
been  98  days  on  her  passage  across  the  Atlantic. 
Supplies  of  wood  and  water  were  here  obtained,  and 
it  was  resolved,  when  their  shallop  could  be  repaired, 
to  explore  the  bay  with  a  view  to  find  some  suitable 
place  of  settlement. 

1  This  day,  before  we  came  to  harbor,  observing 
some  not  well  affected  to  unity  and  concord,  but  gave 
some  appearance  of  faction,  it  was  thought  good  there 
should  be  an  association  and  agreement,  that  we 
should  combine  together  in  one  body,  and  to  submit 
to  such  government  and  governors  as  we  should  by 
common  consent  agree  to  make  and  choose,  and  set 
our  hands  to  this  that  follows,  word  for  word.f 

*  See  Cape  Cod,  in  the  following  work,  for  more  particulars  re- 
specting the  localities  visited  by  the  Pilgrims. 

t  One  influence  there  was,  however,  on  the  history  of  English 
puritanism.  whose  permanent  and  various  effects  on  its  doctrines, 
character  and  destinies,  is  among  the  most  striking  things  in  the 
whole  history  of  Opinion.  I  mean  its  contact  with  the  republican 
reforms  of  the  Continent,  and  particularly  those  of  Geneva.  I  ascribe 
to  the  five  years  in  Geneva  an  influence  that  has  changed  the  condi- 
tion of  the  world.  I  seem  to  myself  to  trace  to  it,  as  an  influence  on  the 
English  race,  a  new  Theology,  a  new  Politics,  another  tone  of  char- 
acter, the  opening  of  another  era  of  time  and  liberty.  I  seem  to 
myself,  to  trace  to  it,  a  portion,  at  least,  of  the  objects  of  the  great 
civil  war  in  England,  the  republican. constitution,  framed  in  the  cabin 
of  the  Mayflower,  the  divinity  of  Jonathan  Edwards,  the  Battle  of 
Bunker  Hill,  and  the  Independence  of  America.  —  Choate's  Oration  at 
New  York,  Dec.  22, 1824. 


46  GUIDE    TO   PLYMOUTH,    AND 

In  the  name  of  God,  Amen.  We,  whose  names 
are  underwritten,  the  loyal  subjects  of  our  dread 
sovereign  lord,  King  James,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of 
Great  Britain,  France,  and  Ireland  king,  defender  of 
the  faith,  &c.  having  undertaken,  for  the  glory  of 
God,  and  advancement  of  the  Christian  faith,  and 
honor  of  our  king  and  country,  a  voyage  to  plant  the 
first  colony  in  the  northern  parts  of  Virginia,  do,  by 
these  presents,  solemnly  and  mutually,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  God  and  one  of  another,  covenant  and  com- 
bine ourselves  together  into  a  civil  body  politic,  for 
our  better  ordering  and  preservation,  and  furtherance 
of  the  ends  aforesaid ;  and  by  virtue  hereof  to  enact, 
constitute  and  frame  such  just  and  equal  laws,  ordi- 
nances, acts,  constitutions,  and  offices,  from  time  to 
time,  as  shall  be  thought  most  meet  and  convenient 
for  the  general  good  of  the  colony;  unto  which  we 
promise  all  due  submission  and  obedience.  In  wit- 
ness whereof  we  have  hereunder  subscribed  our 
names,  at  Cape  Cod,  the  11th  of  November,  in  the 
year  of  the  reign  of  our  sovereign  lord,  King  James, 
of  England,  France  and  Ireland  the  eighteenth,  and 
of  Scotland  the  fifty-fourth,  anno  Domini  1620. 

[Mr.  John   Carver  t  8  John  Alden                          1 

William  Bradford  t  2  Mr.  Samuel  Fuller          2 

Mr.  Edward  WiNSLowt  5  *Me.  Christoph'r  Martin|4 

Mr.  William  Brewster!  6  *Mr.  William  Mullinsj   5 

Mr.  Isaac  Allerton  t  6  *Mr.  William  White!        5 

Capt.  Miles  StandishI  2  Mr.  Richard  Warren        1 

John  Howland  =*John  Goodman  1 


•       RECOLLECTIONS  OF    THE    PILGRIM1.  47 

Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins  t  8  ♦Degory  Priest 

♦Edward  Tilly  t  4  *Thomas  Williams 

♦John  Tilly  t  3  Gilbert  Winslow 

Francis  Cook  2  *Edmund  Margeson 

♦Thomas  Rogers  2  Peter  Brown 

*Thomas  Tinker!  3  ♦Richard  Britterige 

♦JOHN   RlDGDALEf  2  GEORGE   SoULE 

♦Edward  Fuller!  3  ♦Richard  Clarke 

♦John  Turner  3  Richard  Gardiner 

Francis  Eaton  t  3  *John  Allerton 

♦James  Chilton  f  3  ♦Thomas  English 

♦John  Crackston  2  Edward  Dotey 

John  BiLLiNGTONf  4  Edward  Leister           

♦Moses  Fletcher  1  101 


The  above  list  of  the  signers  of  the  celebrated 
Compact,  is  taken  from  Prince's  New  England  Chron- 
ology, vol.  1,  p.  85,  Edit.  1736,  which  is  preceded  by 
the  following  remarks.  '  To  this  instrument  Mr.  Mor- 
ton sets  the  subscribers  in  the  following  order:  but  their 
names  corrected,  with  titles  and  families,  I  take  from 
the  list  at  the  end  of  Governor  Bradford's  folio  man- 
uscript. Only  this  I  observe,  that  out  of  modesty*  he 
omits  the  title  of  Mr.  to  his  own  name,  which  he 
ascribes  to  several  others.' 

The  figures  opposite  each  name  designate  the 
number  in  each  family.  Those  having  an  Asterisk 
(*)  prefixed,  died  before  the  end  of  March.  Those 
which  are  marked  with  an  Obelisk  (f )  brought  their 
wives  with  them.  One  of  those  attached  to  the  name 
of  Samuel  Fuller  was  his  servant,  named  William 
Butten,  a  youth,  who  died  Nov.  1st,  on  the  passage. 


48  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

George  Soule  was  of  Winslow's  family.  Edward  Do- 
tey  and  Edward  Leister  were  of  Stephen  Hopkins's 
family.  Christopher  Martin,  Richard  Warren,  Ste- 
phen Hopkins,  John  Billington,  Edward  Dotey, 
Edward  Leister,  and  perhaps  some  others,  joined 
them  at  London. 

The  number  against  the  name  of  William  White, 
does  not  include  that  of  his  son  Peregrine,  born  in 
Cape  Cod  harbor. 

John  Howland  was  of  Governor  Carver's  family,* 
John  Allerton  and  Thomas  English  were  seamen. 
Dr.  Young  in  his  Chronicles  of  the  Pilgrims,  page  122, 
remarks  that  'the  list  includes  the  servant  who  died, 
the  latter  ought  not  to  be  counted.  The  number 
living  at  the  signing  of  the  Compact,  was  therefore 
only  100/ 

•  So  there  were  just  101  who  sailed  from  Plymouth 
in  England,  and  just  as  many  arrived  in  Cape  Cod 
harbor.  And  this  is  the  solitary  number,  who  for  an 
undefiled  conscience  and  the  love  of  pure  Christianity, 
first  left  their  native  and  pleasant  land,  and  encoun- 
tered all  the  toils  and  hazards  of  the  tumultuous 
ocean,  in  search  of  some  uncultivated  region  in  North 

*  The  mode  of  expression  used  by  Gov.  Bradford,  has  probably- 
led  to  the  impression  among  many,  that  John  Howland  was  much 
younger  at  the  time  of  landing  than  was  really  the  fact,  and  perhaps 
our  painting  of  the  landing  has  countenanced  this  impression.  The 
mode  of  expression  used  by  Gov.  Bradford,  may  have  arisen  from  the 
fact  that  Rowland's  wife,  Elizabeth,  was  a  daughter  of  Gov.  Carver. 
In  the  division  of  land  in  1623,  John  Howland  was  allotted  four  acres. 
He  was  28  years  old  when  the  Mayflower  arrived. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  49 

Virginia,  where  they  might  quietly  enjoy  their  relig- 
ious liberties,  and  transmit  them  to  posterity  in  hopes 
that  none  would  follow  to  disturb  or  vex  them.'  The 
same  day  Mr.  John  Carver  was  appointed  their  Gov- 
ernor. 

I  These  were  the  founders  of  the  Colony  of  New 
Plymouth.  The  settlement  of  this  colony  occasioned 
the  settlement  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  which  was  the 
source  of  all  the  other  Colonies  of  New  England. 
Virginia  was  in  a  dying  state,  and  seemed  to  revive 
and  flourish  from  the  example  of  New  England. 

I I  am  not  preserving  from  oblivion  the  names  of 
heroes  whose  chief  merit  is  the  overthrow  of  cities, 
provinces  and  empires,  but  the  names  of  the  founders 
of  a  flourishing  town  and  colony,  if  not  of  the  whole 
British  empire  in  North  America.' — Hutchinson  11, 462. 

This  memorable  act  of  the  Pilgrims,  which  occurred 
on  board  the  Mayflower  in  Cape  Cod  harbor,  has 
justly  been  regarded  as  the  foundation  of  our  repub- 
lican institutions,  and  the  only  instance  on  record,  in 
which  the  great  principles  of  equal  rights  have  been 
incorporated  into  a  frame  of  civil  government  by  the 
deliberate,  unconstrained  action  of  the  people,  having 
reference  to  the  general  good,  without  exclusive  reser- 
vations to  any. 

'  *  This  is  perhaps  the  only  instance,  in  human 
history,  of  that  positive  original  social  compact,  which 
speculative  Philosophers  have  imagined  as  the  only 

*  John  Quincy  Adams's  Oration.  Dec.  22, 1S02. 
5 


50  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

legitimate  source  of  government.  Here  was  a  unan- 
imous and  personal  assent  by  all  the  individuals  of 
the  community,  to  the  association  by  which  they  be- 
come a  nation.  It  was  the  result  of  circumstances 
and  discussions,  which  had  occurred  during  their 
passage  from  Europe,  and  is  a  full  demonstration  that 
the  nature  of  civil  government,  abstracted  from  the 
political  institutions  of  their  native  country,  had  been 
an  object  of  their  serious  meditation.  The  settlers  of 
all  the  European  colonies  had  contented  themselves 
with  the  powers  conferred  upon  them  by  their 
respective  charters,  without  looking  beyond  the  seal 
of  the  royal  parchment  for  the  measure  of  their  rights, 
and  the  rule  of  their  duties.' 

The  first  visit  of  the  pilgrims  on  the  shores  of  Cape 
Cod,  was  the  same  day  on  which  they  first  anchored* 
in  the  harbor,  when  16  men,  well  armed,  were  landed 
to  procure  wood,  examine  the  country,  and  ascertain 
whether  it  was  inhabited.  At  night  they  returned, 
loaded  with  juniper  for  firewood,  not  having  met  with 
either  houses  or  inhabitants. 

On  Monday,  the  13th  of  November,  they  unshipped 
the  shallop  and  drew  her  on  shore  for  repairs  —  an 
operation  which  occupied  seventeen  days,  an  inju- 
rious delay,  which  prevented  a  rapid  exploration  of 
the  surrounding  country.  The  passengers  generally 
went  on  shore  for  refreshment,  —  a  desirable  change 
after  so  long  and  tedious  a  voyage. 

*  About  twenty  rods  from  the  end  of  Long-  Point,  and  two  miles 
from  Provincetown  Village. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  51 

The  impatience  of  delay  among  the  passengers 
while  the  shallop  was  undergoing  repairs,  induced 
several  of  them  to  volunteer  their  services,  and  to 
travel  by  land  along  the  shore.  This  measure  was 
'  permitted,  rather  than  approved,'  on  account  of  the 
dangers  it  involved  ;  and  sixteen  men  were  sent  out, 
armed  with  musket,  sword,  and  corslet,  conducted  by 
Capt.  Miles  Standish ;  and  William  Bradford,  Ste- 
phen Hopkins  and  Edward  Tilley  were  appointed  as 
counsellors.  They  were  set  on  shore  the  15th  day  of 
November,  and  having  marched  in  single  file  by  the 
sea  shore,  they  discovered  5  or  6  savages  approaching 
with  a  dog,  but  on  perceiving  the  party,  they  ran 
into  the  woods  and  whistled  the  dog  after  them. 
Fearing  some  ambush,  the  Indians  were  followed 
into  the  woods,  who  upon  observing  this,  took  to  rapid 
flight.  The  Indians  were  pursued  to  the  distance  of 
about  ten  miles,  without  being  overtaken ;  and  night 
coming  on,  preparations  were  made  for  lodging, 
three  sentinels  were  posted  for  a  watch,  a  fire  was 
kindled,  and  a  rendezvous  held  there  during  the  night. 
November  16th,  in  the  morning,  as  soon  as  the  Indian 
track  was  discernible,  they  proceeded  on  their  march 
till  they  had  compassed  east  harbor  creek,  and  then 
through  woods,  and  hills,  and  valleys,  obstructed  by 
bushes  and  boughs,  which  subjected  them  to  great 
fatigue,  without  rinding  houses  or  people,  or  fresh 
water.  About  ten  o'clock  they  came  to  a  deep  valley 
where  they  discovered  a  deer  and  springs  of  fresh 
water,  of  which  they  were  heartily  glad,  '  and  drank,' 


52  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

says  Gov.  Bradford,  'the  first  New  England  water 
with  as  much  delight  as  ever  we  drunk  drink  in  all  our 
lives.'  Continuing  their  march  south,  they  arrived  at 
the  shore  and  kindled  a  fire,  according  to  previous 
arrangement,  that  those  on  board  the  ship  might  per- 
ceive the  direction  in  which  they  were  traveling. 

They  came  to  a  fresh  pond,  then  to  a  large  plain, 
where  the  Indians  had  formerly  planted  corn  —  then 
to  another  place  where  corn  had  been  deposited  in 
the  earth  contained  in  a  basket,  holding  three  or  four 
bushels  —  with  which  they  returned  to  the  fresh  pond 
they  had  passed,  and  there  spent  the  night. 

The  corn  was  taken  upon  this  occasion,  after  mutual 
consultation,  with  a  determination  to  remunerate  the 
owners,  whenever  the  opportunity  should  occur,  which 
they  did  about  six  months  after,  to  their  entire  satis- 
faction* 

On  the  17th  they  continued  their  rambles  through 
the  woods  and  along  the  shores  —  sometimes  in  the 

*  Mr.  Baylies  in  his  memoir  of  Plymouth  Colony,  severely  con- 
demns this  act.  He  says  among  other  remarks,  '  Had  the  company 
been  perishing  with  hunger,  the  appropriation  of  the  property  of  others 
might  have  been  justified,  as  it  was,  it  was  inexcusable.' 

In  reply  to  the  above  remarks  it  may  be  observed,  that  the  morality 
of  an  action  is  mainly  determined  by  the  intention  of  the  party  from 
whom  it  proceeds.  In  the  next  place  the  situation  of  the  pilgrims,  if 
not  that  of  actual  starvation,  was  such  as  to  threaten  it  so  strongly,  as 
to  render  the  law  of  self  preservation  applicable  to  their  case.  They 
had  been  driven  providentially  into  Cape  Cod  harbor,  and  were  not  vol- 
untary intruders  there.  The  fact  of  restitution  afterwards  showed  their 
honesty  —  but  if  the  power  of  restitution  had  been  wanting,  their  inten- 
tion and  the  circumstances  of  the  case  would  seem  to  have  justified 
the  act. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  53 

water  up  to  their  knees,  till  they  arrived  near  the 
ship,  and  shooting  off  their  pieces  as  a  signal,  the 
long  boat  was  sent  to  receive  them,  and  Mr.  Carver, 
and  Mr.  Jones,  and  others,  came  to  meet  them. 

After  the  shallop  had  been  repaired,  on  the  27th  of 
November  another  expedition  was  fitted  out  under 
the  command  of  Capt.  Jones,  consisting  of  thirty-four 
persons,  ten  of  them  being  seamen  belonging  to  the 
ship.  This  expedition  occupied  three  days,  and  after 
visiting  Pamet  River,  and  exploring  the  vicinity, 
returned  on  board  the  ship.  The  question  of  settle- 
ment now  became  a  subject  of  discussion  again,  and 
various  opinions  existed  as  to  the  course  which  ought 
to  be  pursued  —  and  some  were  urgent  to  settle  at  the 
place  last  visited  —  while  others  were  inclined  to 
attempt  a  settlement  at  Agawam,  (now  Ipswich,) 
others  suggested  that  possibly  their  might  be  not  far 
off  a  much  better  place,  and  eventually  it  was  decided 
to  make  some  further  discovery  in  the  bay,  but  in  no 
case  so  far  as  Agawam. 

On  the  5th  of  December,  an  accident  occurred 
which  might  have  proved  serious  in  its  consequences. 
A  son  of  Francis  Bellington,  in  the  absence  of  his 
father,  shot  off  a  musket  in  the  cabin  of  the  May- 
flower, there  being  at  the  time  powder  and  other 
combustibles  near,  but  no  injury  was  done. 

On  the  6th  of  December,  another  expedition  was 
resolved  upon,  the  day  previous  having  been  stormy. 
Ten  men  who  were  willing  to  embark,  were  appoint- 
ed, namely,  Capt.  Standish,  Master  Carver,  William 
5* 


54  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Bradford,  Edward  Winslow,  John  Tilley,  Edward 
Tilley,  John  Howland,  and  three  of  London,  Richard 
"Warren,  Stephen  Hopkins  and  Edward  Dotte,  and 
two  seamen,  John  Alderton  and  Thomas  English.  Of 
the  ship's  company  there  went,  Master  Clark  and 
Master  Coppin,  the  master  gunner,  and  three  sailors. 
It  was  late  in  the  day  before  the  preparations  for  the 
expedition  were  completed,  and  the  weather  was 
extremely  severe.  After  clearing  from  the  ship  it 
required  some  time  to  get  underway  on  account  of  a 
sandy  point,  during  which  two  of  their  men  were 
sick,  and  Edward  Tilley  had  nearly  swooned.  The 
Gunner  was  also  sick,  and  so  remained  all  that 
day  and  night.  At  last  they  cleared  the  sandy  point, 
set  their  sails,  and  within  a  few  hours  reached  the 
weather  shore,  and  found  smoother  water.  The 
weather  was  so  severe  as  to  give  their  clothes  the 
appearance  of  coats  of  iron.  After  sailing  six  or 
seven  leagues  by  the  shore,  to  a  place  called  Billington 
Point,  they  discovered,  on  approaching  the  shore,  ten 
or  twelve  Indians,  who  fled  when  they  discovered  the 
shallop.  They  landed  a  league  or  two  from  the  place 
where  the  Indians  were  first  seen,  built  a  barricade, 
procured  wood  and  there  spent  the  night.  On  the 
7th  of  December,  they  coasted  and  explored  in  vari- 
ous places — visited  Eastham  and  Welfleet,  and 
prabably  spent  the  night  at  a  place  called  Great 
Meadow  Creek  in  Eastham. 

At  midnight  a  hideous  noise  was  heard,  and  the 
sentinels  cried  out,  'Arm!  Arm!'  Two  muskets  were 
shot  off,  and  the  noise  ceased. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  55 

On  the  8th  of  December,  about  five  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  after  prayer,  as  they  were  preparing  for 
breakfast,  and  for  farther  exploration,  and  some  had 
carried  their  armor  to  the  shore,  and  were  returning, 
an  unexpected  and  strange  outcry  was  heard ;  one  of 
the  company  being  absent,  coming  in,  exclaimed, 
1  They  are  men !  Indians  !  Indians  ! '  on  which  the 
arrows  came  flying  thickly  among  them.  Captain 
Standish  having  his  piece  in  readiness,  made  a  shot 
at  the  enemy,  and  afterwards  several  others  did  the 
same.  The  contest  was  brought  to  a  close  by  means 
of  great  intrepidity  on  the  part  of  the  pilgrims,  and 
the  enemy  retreated  with  precipitation. 

After  returning  thanks  to  God  for  their  wonderful 
deliverance,  they  took  to  their  shallop,  and  called  the 
place  '  The  First  Encounter.'  The  wind  being  fa- 
vorable, they  sailed  along  the  coast  of  Barnstable  Bay, 
about  forty-five  miles,  but  saw  no  river  or  creek 
convenient  for  landing.  After  sailing  an  hour  or  two 
snow  and  rain  commenced  falling  ;  the  sea  became 
rough ;  the  hinges  of  the  rudder  were  broken,  and 
it  could  no  longer  be  used ;  but  two  men  supplied  its 
place  with  oars.  The  ocean  heaved  with  increasing 
agitation,  and  they  were  in  great  anxiety  and  danger. 
The  night  was  fast  gathering  around  them.  At  this 
trying  moment,  Master  Coppin  bid  them  be  of  good 
cheer  for  he  saw  the  land  ;  but  as  they  drew  near  it, 
the  gale  increased,  and  heavy  sail  being  set  in  order 
to  reach  the  harbor  before  dark,  the  mast  was  split  in 
three  pieces,  and  the  shallop  was  threatened  with 


56  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

destruction.  ?  Yet  by  God's  mercy,'  says  Gov.  Brad- 
ford, '  we  had  the  flood  with  us,  and  struck  into  the 
harbor.  The  pilot,  who  had  bid  the  company  be  of 
good  cheer,  was  deceived,  and  when  arriving  at  the 
harbor  exclaimed,  '  Lord  be  merciful  to  us,  my  eyes 
never  saw  this  place  before,'  and  he  and  the  master's 
mate  would  have  run  the  shallop  ashore  in  a  cove  full 
of  breakers,  had  not  the  seaman  who  steered,  bid  them 
that  rowed,  '  if  they  were  men,  about  with  her,  or 
else  they  were  all  cast  away ;'  the  which  they  did 
with  all  speed,'  and  although  it  was  dark  and  rainy, 
they  succeeded  in  securing  a  safe  shelter  under  the 
lee  of  a  small  island,  where  they  spent  the  night.* 

*  In  the  morning  they  marched  over  the  Island,  but 
found  no  inhabitants,  making  it  their  rendezvous, 
being  Saturday,  the  10th  of  December.  On  the 
Sabbath  day  we  rested ;  and  on  Monday  we  sounded 
the  harbor  and  found  it  a  very  good  harbor  for  our 
shipping.  We  marched  into  the  land  and  found 
divers  corn  fields,  and  little  running  brooks,  a  place 
very  good  for  situation.  So  we  returned  (the  14th) 
to  our  ship  with  good  news  to  our  people,  which  did 
much  comfort  our  hearts. 

*  Clark's  Island. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  57 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Of  their  Landing  and  Settling  at  New  Plymouth. 

'  On  the  15th  day  we  weighed  anchor  to  go  to  the 
place  we  had  discovered ;  and  coming  within  two 
leagues  of  the  land,  we  could  not  fetch  the  harbour, 
but  were  fain  to  put  round  again  towards  Cape  Cod, 
our  course  lying  west,  and  the  wind  was  at  north- 
west. But  it  pleased  God  that  the  next  day,  being 
Saturday  the  16th  day,  the  wind  came  fair,  and  we 
put  to  sea  again,  and  came  safely  into  a  safe  harbour; 
and  within  half  an  hour  the  wind  changed,  so  as  if 
we  had  been  letted  but  a  little,  we  had  gone  back  to 
Cape  Cod. 

•  This  harbour  is  a  bay  greater  than  Cape  Cod, 
compassed  with  a  goodly  land  ;  and  in  the  bay  two 
fine  islands*  uninhabited,  wherein  are  nothing  but 
woods,  oaks,  pines,  walnuts,  beech,  sassafras,  vines, 
and  other  trees  which  we  know  not.  This  bay  is  a 
most  hopeful  place  ;  innumerable  store  of  fowl,  and 
excellent  good ;  and  cannot  but  be  of  fish  in  their 
seasons ;  skate,  cod,  turbot,  and  herring,  we  have  tasted 

*  The  reader  will  find  explanations  of  the  different  points  alluded 
to  in  the  present  chapter,  under  the  heads  of  Leyden  street  and  other 
localities  described  in  this  book. 


58  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

of;  abundance  of  muscles,  the  greatest  and  best  that 
ever  we  saw  ;  crabs  and  lobsters,  in  their  time,  infinite. 
It  is  in  fashion  like  a  sickle,  or  fish-hook. 

1  Monday,  the  18th  day,  we  went  a  land,*  manned 
with  the  master  of  the  ship  and  three  or  four  of  the 
sailors.  We  marched  along  the  coast  in  the  woods 
some  seven  or  eight  miles,  but  saw  not  an  Indian  nor 
an  Indian  house  ;  only  we  found  where  formerly  had 
been  some  inhabitants,  and  where  they  had  planted 
their  corn.  We  found  not  any  navigable  river,  but 
four  or  five  small  running  brooks  of  very  sweet  fresh 
water,  that  all  run  into  the  sea.  The  land  for  the 
crust  of  the  earth  is,  a  spit's  depth,  excellent  black 
mould,  and  fat  in  some  places ;  two  or  three  great 
oaks,  but  not  very  thick,  pines,  walnuts,  beech,  ash, 
birch,  hazel,  holly,  asp,  sassafras  in  abundance,  and 
vines  every  where,  cherry  trees,  plum  trees,  and 
many  others  which  we  know  not.  Many  kinds  of 
herbs  we  found  here  in  winter,  as  strawberry  leaves 
innumerable,  sorrel,  yarrow,  carvel,  brooklime,  liver- 
wort, water-cresses,  great  store  of  leeks  and  onions, 
and  an  excellent  strong  kind  of  flax  and  hemp.  Here 
is  sand,  gravel,  and  excellent  clay,  no  better  in  the 
world,  excellent  for  pots,  and  will  wash  like  soap,  and 
great  store  of  stone,  though  somewhat  soft,  and  the 
best  water  that  ever  we  drunk ;  and  the  brooks  now 
begin  to  be  full  of  fish.  That  night,  many  being 
weary  with  marching,  we  went  aboard  again. 

1  The  next  morning,  being  Tuesday,  the  19th  of  De« 

•  The  words  '  in  a  long-  boat,'  are  here  omitted. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  59 

cember,  we  went  again  to  discover  further;  some 
went  on  land,  and  some  in  the  shallop.  The  land  we 
found  as  the  former  day  we  did ;  and  we  found  a 
creek,  and  went  up  three  English  miles,  a  very  pleas- 
ant river  at  full  sea.  A  bark  of  thirty  tons  may  go 
up ;  but  at  low  water  scarce  our  shallop  could  pass. 
This  place  we  had  a  great  liking  to  plant  in,  but  that 
it  was  so  far  from  our  fishing,  our  principal  profit,  and 
so  encompassed  with  woods,  that  we  should  be  in 
much  danger  of  the  salvages;  and  our  number  being 
so  little,  and  so  much  ground  to  clear;  so  as  we 
thought  good  to  quit  and  clear  that  place  till  we  were 
of  more  strength.  Some  of  us,  having  a  good  mind, 
for  safety,  to  plant  in  the  greater  isle,  we  crossed  the 
bay,  which  is  there  five  or  six  miles  over,  and  found 
the  isle  about  a  mile  and  a  half  or  two  miles  about, 
all  wooded,  and  no  fresh  water  but  two  or  three  pits, 
that  we  doubted  of  fresh  water  in  summer,  and  so 
full  of  wood  as  we  could  hardly  clear  so  much  as  to 
serve  us  for  corn.  Besides,  we  judged  it  cold  for 
our  corn,  and  some  part  very  rocky ;  yet  divers 
thought  of  it  as  a  place  defensible,  and  of  great 
security.  That  night  we  returned  again  a  shipboard, 
with  resolution  the  next  morning  to  settle  on  some  of 
those  places. 

1  So  in  the  morning,  after  we  had  called  on  God  for 
direction,  we  came  to  this  resolution,  to  go  presently 
ashore  again,  and  to  take  a  better  view  of  two  places 
which  we  thought  most  fitting  for  us ;  for  we  could 
not  now  take  time  for  further  search  or  consideration 


60  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

our  victuals  being  much  spent,  especially  our  beer, 
and  it  being  now  the  19th  of  December.  After  our 
landing  and  viewing  of  the  places,  so  well  as  we 
could,  we  came  to  a  conclusion,  by  most  voices,  to  set 
on  the  main  land,  on  the  first  place,  on  a  high  ground, 
where  there  is  a  great  deal  of  land  cleared,  and  hath 
been  planted  with  corn  three  or  four  years  ago  ;  and 
there  is  a  very  sweet  brook  runs  under  the  hill  side, 
and  many  delicate  springs  of  as  good  water  as  can  be 
drunk,  and  where  we  may  harbour  our  shallops  and 
boats  exceeding  well  ;•  and  in  this  brook  much  good 
fish  in  their  seasons  ;  on  the  further  side  of  the  river 
also  much  corn-ground  cleared.  In  one  field  is  a 
great  hill,  on  which  we  point  to  make  a  platform,  and 
plant  our  ordnance,  which  will  command  all  round 
about.  From  thence  we  may  see  into  the  bay,  and 
far  into  the  sea ;  and  we  may  see  thence  Cape  Cod. 
Our  greatest  labor  will  be  fetching  of  our  wood,  which 
is  half  a  quarter  of  an  English  mile ;  but  there  is 
enough  so  far  off.  What  people  inhabit  here  we  yet 
know  not,  for  as  yet  we  have  seen  none.  So  there 
we  made  our  rendezvous,  and  a  place  for  some  of  our 
people,  about  twenty,  resolving  in  the  morning  to  come 
all  ashore  and  to  build  houses. 

'But  the  next  morning,  being  Thursday,  the  21st  of 
December,  it  was  stormy  and  wet,  that  we  could  not 
go  ashore ;  and  those  that  remained  there  all  night 
could  do  nothing,  but  were  wet,  not  having  daylight 
enough  to  make  them  a  sufficient  court  of  guard,  to 
keep  them  dry.     All  that  night  it  blew  and  rained 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  61 

extremely.  It  was  so  tempestuous  that  the  shallop 
could  not  go  on  land  so  soon  as  was  meet,  for  they 
had  no  victuals  on  land.  About  eleven  o'clock  the 
shallop  went  off  with  much  ado  with  provision,  but 
could  not  return,  it  blew  so  strong ;  and  was  such  foul 
weather  that  we  were  forced  to  let  fall  our  anchor,  and 
ride  with  three  anchors  ahead. 

'  Friday,  the  22d,  the  storm  still  continued,  that  we 
could  not  get  a  land,  nor  they  come  to  us  aboard. 
This  morning  goodwife  Alderton,  was  delivered  of  a 
son,  but  dead  born. 

1  Saturday,  the  23d,  so  many  of  us  as  could  went  on 
shore,  felled  and  carried  timber,  to  provide  themselves 
stuff  for  building. 

5  Sunday,  the  24th,  our  people  on  shore  heard  a  cry 
of  some  savages,  as  they  thought,  which  caused  an 
alarm,  and  to  stand  on  their  guard,  expecting  an  as- 
sault ;  but  all  was  quiet. 

'  Monday,  the  25th  day,  we  went  on  shore,  some  to 
fell  timber,  some  to  saw,  some  to  rive,  and  some  to 
carry  ;  so  no  man  rested  all  that  day.  But,  towards 
night,  some,  as  they  were  at  work,  heard  a  noise  of 
some  Indians,  which  caused  us  all  to  go  to  our  mus- 
kets ;  but  we  heard  no  further.  So  we  came  aboard 
again,  and  left  some  twenty  to  keep  the  court  of 
guard.  That  night  we  had  a  sore  storm  of  wind  and 
rain. 

1  Monday,  the  25th,  being  Christmas  day,  we  began 
to  drink  water  aboard.  But  at  night  the  master  caused 
us  to  have  some  beer ;  and  so  on  board  we  had  divers 
6 


62  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

times,  now  and  then  some  beer,  but  on  shore  none  at 
all. 

'  Tuesday,  the  26th,  it  was  foul  weather,  that  we 
could  not  go  ashore. 

1  Wednesday,  the  27th,  we  went  to  work  again. 

'  Thursday,  the  28th  of  December,  so  many  as  could 
went  to  work  on  the  hill,  where  we  purposed  to  build 
our  platform  for  our  ordnance,  and  which  doth  com- 
mand ail  the  plain  and  the  bay,  and  from  whence  we 
may  see  far  into  the  sea,  and  might  be  easier  impaled, 
having  two  rows  of  houses  and  a  fair  street.  So  in 
the  afternoon  we  went  to  measure  out  the  grounds, 
and  first  we  took  notice  how  many  families  there 
were,  willing  all  single  men  that  had  no  wives  to  join 
with  some  family,  as  they  thought  fit,  that  so  we 
might  build  fewer  houses;  which  was  done,  and  we 
reduced  them  to  nineteen  families.  To  greater  fam- 
ilies we  allotted  larger  plots ;  to  every  person  half  a 
pole  in  breadth,  and  three  in  length  ;  and  so  lots  were 
cast  where  every  man  should  lie ;  which  was  done, 
and  staked  out.  We  thought  this  proportion  was 
large  enough  at  the  first,  for  houses  and  gardens  to 
impale  them  round,  considering  the  weakness  of  our 
people,  many  of  them  growing  ill  with  colds;  for  our 
former  discoveries  in  frost  and  storms,  and  the  wad- 
ing at  Cape  Cod  had  brought  much  weakness  amongst 
us,  which  increased  so  every  day  more  and  more,  and 
after  was  the  cause  of  many  of  their  deaths. 

*  Friday  and  Saturday  we  fitted  ourselves  for  our 
labor ;  but  our  people  on  shore  were  much  troubled 


RECOLLECTIONS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  63 

and  discouraged  with  rain  and  wet  that  day,  being  very 
stormy  and  cold.  We  saw  great  smokes  of  fire  made 
by  the  Indians,  about  six  or  seven  miles  from  us,  as 
we  conjectured. 

•  Monday,  the  1st  of  January,  we  went  betimes  to 
work.  We  were  much  hindered  in  lying  so  far  off 
from  the  land,  and  fain  to  go  as  the  tide  served,  that 
we  lost  much  time ;  for  our  ship  drew  so  much  water 
that  she  lay  a  mile  and  almost  a  half  off,  though  a 
ship  of  seventy  or  eighty  tons  at  high  water  may  come 
to  the  shore. 

■  Wednesday,  the  3d  of  January,  some  of  our  people 
being  abroad  to  get  and  gather  thatch,  they  saw  great 
fires  of  the  Indians  ;  and  were  at  their  corn-fields,  yet 
saw  none  of  the  savages,  nor  had  seen  any  of  them 
since  we  came  to  this  bay. 

*  Thursday,  the  4th  of  January, Captain  Miles  Stan- 
dish,  with  four  or  five  more,  went  to  see  if  they  could 
meet  with  any  of  the  savages  in  that  place  where  the 
fires  were  made.  They  went  to  some  of  their  houses, 
but  not  lately  inhabited  ;  yet  could  they  not  meet  with 
any.  As  they  came  home,  they  shot  at  an  eagle  and 
killed  her,  which  was  excellent  meat ;  it  was  hardly 
to  be  discerned  from  mutton. 

'Friday,  the  5th  of  January,  one  of  the  sailors  found 
alive  upon  the  shore  a  herring,  which  the  master  had 
to  his  supper ;  whicn*  put  us  in  hopes  of  fish,  but  as 
yet  we  had  got  but  one  cod ;  we  wanted  small 
hooks. 

'  Saturday,  the  6th  of  January,  Master  Marten  was 


64  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

very  sick,  and,  to  our  judgment,  no  hope  of  life.  So 
Master  Carver  was  sent  for  to  come  aboard  to  speak 
with  him  about  his  accounts ;  who  came  the  next 
morning. 

'  Monday,  the  8th  of  January,  was  a  very  fair  day, 
and  we  went  betimes  to  work.  Master  Jones  sent 
the  shallop,  as  he  had  formerly  done,  to  see  where 
fish  could  be  got.  They  had  a  great  storm  at  sea, 
and  were  in  some  danger.  At  night  they  returned 
with  three  great  seals,  and  an  excellent  good  cod, 
which  did  assure  us  that  we  should  have  plenty  of 
fish  shortly. 

1  This  day  Francis  Billington,  having  the  week  be- 
fore seen  from  the  top  of  a  tree  on  a  high  hill  a  great 
sea,  as  he  thought,  went  with  one  of  the  master's 
mates  to  see  it.  They  went  three  miles  and  then 
came  to  a  great  water,  divided  into  two  great  lakes ; 
the  bigger  of  them  five  or  six  miles  in  curcuit,  and  in 
it  an  isle  of  a  cable  length  square ;  the  other  three 
miles  in  compass,  in  their  estimation.  They  are  fine 
fresh  water,  full  of  fish  and  fowl.  A  brook  issues 
from  it ;  it  will  be  an  excellent  place  for  us  in  time. 
They  found  seven  or  eight  Indian  houses,  but  not 
lately  inhabited.  When  they  saw  the  houses,  they 
were  in  some  fear ;  for  they  were  but  two  persons, 
and  one  piece. 

'  Tuesday,  the  9th  of  January,  was  a  reasonable  fair 
day ;  and  we  went  to  labor  that  day  in  the  building 
of  our  town,  in  two  rows  of  houses,  for  more  safety. 
We  divided  by  lot  the  plot  of  ground  whereon  to  build 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  65 

our  town,  after  the  proportion  formerly  allotted.  We 
agreed  that  every  man  should  build  his  own  house, 
thinking  by  that  course  men  would  make  more  haste 
than  working  in  common.  The  common  house,  in 
which  for  the  first  we  made  our  rendezvous,  being 
near  finished,  wanted  only  covering,  it  being  about 
twenty  foot  square.  Some  should  make  mortar,  and 
some  gather  thatch ;  so  that  in  four  days  half  of  it  was 
thatched.  Frost  and  foul  weather  hindered  us  much. 
This  time  of  the  year  seldom  could  we  work  half  the 
week. 

'Thursday,  the  11th,  William  Bradford  being  at 
work  (for  it  was  a  fair  day,)  was  vehemently  taken 
with  a  grief  and  pain,  and  so  shot  to  his  huckle-bone, 
it  was  doubted  that  he  would  have  instantly  died. 
He  got  cold  in  the  former  discoveries,  especially  the 
last ;  and  felt  some  pain  in  his  ancles  by  times ;  but 
he  grew  a  little  better  towards  night,  and  in  time, 
through  God's  mercy,  in  the  use  of  means,  recovered. 

1  Friday, the  12th,  we  went  to  work ;  but  about  noon 
it  began  to  rain,  that  it  forced  us  to  give  over  work. 

1  This  day  two  of  our  people  put  us  in  great  sorrow 
and  care.  There  was  four  sent  to  gather  and  cut 
thatch  in  the  morning  ;  and  two  of  them,  John  Good- 
man and  Peter  Browne,  having  cut  thatch  all  the 
forenoon,  went  to  a  further  place,  and  willed  the  other 
two  to  bind  up  that  which  was  cut,  and  to  follow  them. 
So  they  did,  being  about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  our 
plantation.  But  when  the  two  came  after,  they  could 
not  find  them,  nor  hear  any  thing  of  them  at  all, 
6* 


66  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

though  they  hallooed  and  shouted  as  loud  as  they 
could.  So  they  returned  to  the  company,  and  told 
them  of  it.  "Whereupon  Master  Carver,  and  three 
or  four  more  went  to  seek  them;  but  could  hear 
nothing  of  them.  So  they  returning,  sent  more  ;  but 
that  night  they  could  hear  nothing  at  all  of  them. 
The  next  day  they  armed  ten  or  twelve  men  out, 
verily  thinking  the  Indians  had  surprised  them.  They 
went  seeking  seven  or  eight  miles ;  but  could  neither 
see  nor  hear  any  thing  at  all.  So  they  returned,  with 
much  discomfort  to  us  all. 

1  These  two  that  were  missed  at  dinner  time,  took 
their  meat  in  their  hands,  and  would  go  walk  and 
refresh  themselves.  So  going  a  little  off,  they  find  a 
lake  of  water,  and  having  a  great  mastiff  bitch  with 
them  and  a  spaniel,  by  the  water  side  they  found  a 
great  deer.  The  dogs  chased  him  ;  and  they  followed 
so  far  as  they  lost  themselves,  and  they  could  not 
find  the  way  back.  They  wandered  all  that  after- 
noon, being  wet;  and  at  night  it  did  freeze  and  snow, 
They  were  slenderly  apparelled,  and  had  no  weapons 
but  each  one  his  sickle,  nor  any  victuals.  They 
ranged  up  and  down  and  could  find  none  of  the  sal- 
vages' habitations.  When  it  drew  to  night,  they 
were  much  perplexed ;  for  they  could  find  neither 
harbour  nor  meat ;  but,  in  frost  and  snow,  were  forced 
to  make  the  earth  their  bed  and  the  element  their 
covering.  And  another  thing  did  very  much  terrify 
them  ;  they  heard,  as  they  thought,  two  lions  roaring 
exceedingly  for  a  long  time  together,  and  a  third  that 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  67 

they  thought  was  very  near  them.  So  not  knowing  what 
to  do,  they  resolved  to  climb  up  into  a  tree,  as  their  saf- 
est refuge,  though  that  would  prove  an  intolerable  cold 
lodging.  So  they  stood  at  the  tree's  root,  that  when 
the  lions  came,  they  might  take  their  opportunity  of 
climbing  up.  The  bitch  they  were  fain  to  hold  by 
the  neck,  for  she  would  have  been  gone  to  the  lion. 
But  it  pleased  God  so  to  dispose,  that  the  wild  beasts 
came  not.  So  they  walked  up  and  down  under  the 
tree  all  night.  It  was  an  extreme  cold  night.  So 
soon  as  it  was  light,  they  travelled  again,  passing  by 
many  lakes  and  brooks  and  woods,  and  in  one  place 
where  the  salvages  had  burnt  the  space  of  five  miles 
in  length,  which  is  a  fine  champaign  country,  and 
even.  In  the  afternoon,  it  pleased  God  from  a  high 
hill  they  discovered  the  two  isles  in  the  bay,  and  so 
that  night  got  to  the  plantation,  being  ready  to  faint 
with  travail  and  want  of  victuals,  and  almost  famished 
with  cold.  John  Goodman  was  fain  to  have  his 
shoes  cut  off  his  feet,  they  were  so  swelled  with  cold  ; 
and  it  was  a  long  while  after  ere  he  was  able  to  go. 
Those  on  the  shore  were  much  comforted  at  their 
return ;  but  they  on  shipboard  were  grieved  at  deem- 
ing them  lost. 

'  But  the  next  day,  being  the  14th  of  January,  in 
the  morning  about  six  of  the  clock,  the  wind  being 
very  great,  they  on  shipboard  spied  their  great  new 
rendezvous  on  fire ;  which  was  to  them  a  new  dis- 
comfort, fearing,  because  of  the  supposed  loss  of  the 
men,  that  the  salvages  had  fired  them.  Neither  could 


68  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,   AND 

they  presently  go  to  them,  for  want  of  water.  But 
after  three  quarters  of  an  hour  they  went,  as  they 
had  purposed  the  day  before  to  keep  the  Sabbath  on 
shore,  because  now  there  was  the  greater  number  of 
people.  At  their  landing  they  heard  good  tidings  of 
the  return  of  the  two  men,  and  that  the  house  was 
fired  occasionally  by  a  spark  that  flew  into  the  thatch, 
which  instantly  burnt  it  all  up ;  but  the  roof  stood,  and 
little  hurt.  The  most  lost,  was  Master  Carver's  and 
William  Bradford's,  who  then  lay  sick  in  bed,  and  if 
they  had  not  risen  with  good  speed,  had  been  blown 
up  with  powder ;  but,  through  God's  mercy,  they  had 
no  harm.  The  house  was  as  full  of  beds  as  they  could 
lie  one  by  another,  and  their  muskets  charged  ;  but, 
blessed  be  God,  there  was  no  harm  done. 

1  Monday,  the  15th  day,  it  rained  much  all  day,  that 
they  on  shipboard  could  not  go  on  shore,  nor  they  on 
shore  do  any  labor,  but  were  all  wet. 

1  Tuesday,  Wednesday,  Thursday,  were  very  fair, 
sunshiny  days,  as  if  it  had  been  in  April ;  and  our 
people,  so  many  as  were  in  health,  wrought  cheer- 
fully. 

'  The  19th  day  we  resolved  to  make  a  shed  to  put 
our  common  provision  in,  of  which  some  were  already 
set  on  shore  ;  but  at  noon  it  rained,  that  we  could  not 
work.  This  day,  in  the  evening,  John  Goodman  went 
abroad  to  use  his  lame  feet,  that  were  pitifully  ill  with 
the  cold  he  had  got,  having  a  little  spaniel  with  him. 
A  little  way  from  the  plantation  two  great  wolves  ran 
after  the  dog ;  the  dog  ran  to  him  and  betwixt  his  legs 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  69 

for  succour.  He  had  nothing  in  his  hand,  but  took  up 
a  stick  and  threw  at  one  of  them  and  hit  him,  and 
they  presently  ran  both  away,  but  came  again.  He 
got  a  pale -board  in  his  hand  ;  and  they  sat  both  on 
their  tails  grinning  at  him  a  good  while ;  and  went 
their  way  and  left  him. 

1  Saturday  20th,  we  made  up  our  shed  for  our  com- 
mon goods. 

'  Sunday,  the  21st,  we  kept  our  meeting  on  land. 

1  Monday,  the  22d,  was  a  fair  day.  We  wrought 
on  our  houses ;  and  in  the  afternoon  carried  up  our 
hogsheads  of  meal  to  our  common  storehouse. 
The  rest  of  the  week  we  followed  our  business  like- 
wise. 

'  Monday,  the  29th,  in  the  morning,  cold,  frost,  and 
sleet ;  but  after  reasonable  fair.  Both  the  long-boat 
and  the  shallop  brought  our  common  goods  on  shore. 

1  Tuesday  and  Wednesday,  30th  and  31st  of  Jan- 
uary, cold,  frosty  weather  and  sleet,  that  we  could 
not  work.  In  the  morning,  the  master  and  others 
saw  two  savages,  that  had  been  on  the  island  near 
our  ship.  What  they  came  for  we  could  not  tell. 
They  were  going  so  far  back  again  before  they  were 
descried,  that  we  could  not  speak  with  them. 

'  Sunday,  the  4th  of  February,  was  very  wet  and 
rainy,  with  the  greatest  gusts  of  wind  that  ever  we 
had  since  we  came  forth  ;  that  though  we  rid  in  a  very 
good  harbour,  yet  we  were  in  danger,  because  our 
ship  was  light,  the  goods  taken  out,  and  she  unbal- 
lasted ;  and  it  caused  much  daubing  of  our  houses  to 
fall  down. 


70  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

1  Friday,  the  9lh,  still  the  cold  weather  continued, 
that  we  could  do  little  work.  That  afternoon,  our 
little  house  for  our  sick  people  was  set  on  fire  by  a 
spark  that  kindled  in  the  roof;  but  no  great  harm  was 
done.  That  evening,  the  master  going  ashore,  killed 
five  geese,  which  he  friendly  distributed  among  the 
sick  people.  He  found  also  a  good  deer  killed.  The 
savages  had  cut  off  the  horns,  and  a  wolf  was  eating 
of  him.     How  he  came  there  we  could  not  conceive. 

'  Friday,  the  16th,  was  a  fair  day  ;  but  the  northerly 
wind  continued,  which  continued  the  frost.  This  day, 
after  noon,  one  of  our  people  being  a  fowling,  and 
having  taken  a  stand  by  a  creek  side  in  the  reeds, 
about  a  mile  and  a  half  from  our  plantation,  there 
came  by  him  twelve  Indians,  marching  towards  our 
plantation,  and  in 'the  woods  he  heard  the  noise  of 
many  more.  He  lay  close  till  they  were  passed,  and 
then  with  what  speed  he  could  he  went  home  and 
gave  the  alarm.  So  the  people  abroad  in  the  woods 
returned  and  armed  themselves,  but  saw  none  of 
them ;  only,  towards  the  evening,  they  made  a  great 
fire  about  the  place  where  they  were  first  discovered. 
Captain  Miles  Standish  and  Francis  Cooke  being  at 
work  in  the  woods,  coming  home  left  their  tools 
behind  them ;  but  before  they  returned,  their  tools 
were  taken  away  by  the  savages.  This  coming  of 
the  savages  gave  us  occasion  to  keep  more  strict 
watch,  and  to  make  our  pieces  and  furniture  ready, 
which  by  the  moisture  and  rain  were  out  of  temper. 
'  Saturday,  the  17th  day,  in  the  morning,  we  called 


' 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE     PILGRIMS.  71 

a  meeting  for  the  establishing  of  military  orders 
among  ourselves ;  and  we  chose  Miles  Standish  our 
captain,  and  gave  him  authority  of  command  in  affairs. 
And  as  we  were  in  consultation  hereabouts,  two  sav- 
ages presented  themselves  upon  the  top  of  a  hill,  over 
against  our  plantation,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  and 
less,  and  made  signs  unto  us  to  come  unto  them ;  we 
likewise  made  signs  unto  them  to  come  to  us. 
Whereupon  we  armed  ourselves  and  stood  ready,  and 
sent  two  over  the  brook  towards  them,  to  wit,  Captain 
Standish  and  Stephen  Hopkins,  who  went  towards 
them.  Only  one  of  them  had  a  musket,  which  they 
laid  down  on  the  ground  in  their  sight,  in  sign  of 
peace,  and  to  parley  with  them.  But  the  savages 
would  not  tarry  their  coming.  A  noise  of  a  great 
many  more  was  heard  behind  the  hill ;  but  no  more 
came  in  sight.  This  caused  us  to  plant  our  great 
ordnances  in  places  most  convenient. 

•  Wednesday,  the  21st  of  Feburary,the  master  came 
on  shore,  with  many  of  his  sailors,  and  brought  with 
him  one  of  the  great  pieces,  called  a  minion,  and 
helped  us  to  draw  it  up  the  hill,  with  another  piece 
that  lay  on  shore,  and  mounted  them,  and  a  sailer,, 
and  two  bases.  He  brought  with  him  a  very  fat 
goose  to  eat  with  us,  and  we  had  a  fat  crane  and  a 
mallard,  and  a  dried  neat's  tongue  ;  and  so  we  were 
kindly  and  friendly  together. 

'  Saturday,  the  3d  of  March,  the  wind  was  south, 
the  morning  misty,  but  towards  noon  warm  and  fair 
weather.     The  birds  sang  in  the  woods  most  pleas- 


72  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND  „ 

antly.  At  one  of  the  clock  it  thundered,  which  was 
the  first  we  heard  in  that  country.  It  was  strong  and 
great  claps,  but  short ;  but  after  an  hour  it  rained  very 
sadly  till  midnight. 

•  Wednesday,  the  7th  of  March,  the  wind  was  full 
east,  cold,  but  fair.  That  day,  Master  Carver,  with 
five  others,  went  to  the  great  ponds,  which  seem  to 
be  excellent  fishing  places.  All  the  way  they  went 
they  found  it  exceedingly  beaten,  and  haunted  with 
deer;  but  they  saw  none.  Amongst  other  fowl  they 
saw  one,  a  milk-white  fowl,  with  a  very  black  head. 
This  day  some  garden  seeds  were  sown. 

1  Friday,  the  16th,  a  fair  warm  day  towards.  This 
morning  we  determined  to  conclude  of  the  military 
orders,  which  we  had  begun  to  consider  of  before,  but 
were  interrupted  by  the  savages,  as  we  mentioned 
formerly.  And  whilst  we  were  busied  hereabout,  we 
were  interrupted  again ;  for  there  presented  himself  a 
savage,  which  caused  an  alarm.  He  very  boldly 
came  all  alone,  and  along  the  houses,  straight  to  the 
rendezvous  ;  where  we  intercepted  him,  not  suffering 
him  to  go  in,  as  undoubtedly  he  would  out  of  his 
boldness.  He  saluted  us  in  English,  and  bade  us 
1  Welcome ; '  for  he  had  learned  some  broken  English 
among  the  Englishmen  that  came  to  fish  at  Monhig- 
gon,  and  knew  by  name  most  of  the  captains,  com- 
manders, and  masters  that  usually  come.  He  was  a 
man  free  in  speech  so  far  as  he  could  express  his 
mind,  and  of  a  seemly  carriage.  We  questioned  him 
of  many  things ;  he  was  the  first  savage  we  could 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  73 

meet  withal.  He  said  he  was  not  of  these  parts,  but 
of  Morattiggon,  and  one  of  the  sagamores  or  lords 
thereof;  and  had  been  eight  months  in  these  parts,  it 
lying  hence  a  day's  sail  with  a  great  wind,  and  five 
days  by  land.  He  discoursed  of  the  whole  country, 
and  of  every  province,  and  of  their  sagamores,  and 
their  number  of  men  and  strength.  The  wind  begin- 
ning to  rise  a  little,  we  cast  a  horseman's  coat  about 
him ;  for  he  was  stark  naked,  only  a  leather  about 
his  waist,  with  a  fringe  about  a  span  long  or  little 
more.  He  had  a  bow  and  two  arrows,  the  one  headed, 
and  the  other  unheaded.  He  was  a  tall,  straight  man, 
the  hair  of  his  head  black,  long  behind,  only  short 
before,  none  on  his  face  at  all.  He  asked  some  beer,, 
but  we  gave  him  strong  water,  and  biscuit,  and  butter, 
and  cheese,  and  pudding,  and  a  piece  of  mallard ;  all 
which  he  liked  well,  and  had  been  acquainted  with 
such  amongst  the  English.  He  told  us  the  place 
where  we  now  lived  is  called  Patuxet,  and  that  about 
four  years  ago  all  the  inhabitants  died  of  an  extraor- 
dinary plague,  and  there  is  neither  man,  woman,  nor 
child  remaining,  as  indeed  we  have  found  none  ;  so 
as  there  is  none  to  hinder  our  possession,  or  to  lay 
claim  unto  it.  All  the  afternoon  we  spent  in  com- 
munication with  him.  We  would  gladly  have  been 
rid  of  him  at  night,  but  he  was  not  willing  to  go  this 
night.  Then  we  thought  to  carry  him  on  shipboard, 
wherewith  he  was  well  content,  and  went  into  the 
shallop ;  but  the  wind  was  high  and  the  water 
scant,  that  it  could  not  return  back.  We  lodged  him 
7 


74  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

that  night  at  Steven  Hopkins's  house,  and  watched 
.him. 

'  The  next  day  he  went  away  back  to  the  Masasoits, 
afrom  whence  he  said  he  came,  who  are  our  next 
bordering  neighbors.  They  are  sixty  strong,  as  he 
saith.  The  Nausites  are  as  near  southeast  of  them, 
and  are  a  hundred  strong ;  and  those  were  they  of 
whom  our  people  were  encountered,  as  we  before 
related.  They  are  much  incensed  and  provoked 
against  the  English ;  and  about  eight  months  ago 
slew  three  Englishmen,  and  two  more  hardly  escaped 
by  flight  to  Monhiggon.  They  were  Sir  Ferdinando 
Gorge's  men,  as  this  savage  told  us ;  as  he  did  like- 
wise of  the  huggery,  that  is,  fight,  that  our  discoverers 
had  with  the  Nausites,  and  of  our  tools  that  were 
taken  out  of  the  woods,  which  we  willed  him  should 
be  brought  again ;  otherwise  we  would  right  our- 
selves. These  people  are  ill  affected  towards  the 
English  by  reason  of  one  Hunt,  a  master  of  a  ship, 
who  deceived  the  people  and  got  them,  under  color 
of  trucking  with  them,  twenty  out  of  this  very  place 
where  we  inhabit,  and  seven  men  from  the  Nau- 
sites, and  carried  them  away,  and  sold  them  for 
slaves,  like  a  wretched  man  (for  twenty  pound  a 
man,)  that  cares  not  what  mischief  he  doth  for  his 
profit. 

1  Saturday,  in  the  morning,  we  dismissed  the  sal- 
vage, and  gave  him  a  knife,  a  bracelet,  and  a  ring. 
He  promised  within  a  night  or  two  to  come  again  and 
to  bring  with  him  some  of  the  Massasoyts,  our  neigh- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  75 

bours,  with  such  beavers'  skins  as  they  had  to  truck 
with  us. 

'  Saturday  and  Sunday  reasonable  fair  days.  On 
this  day  came  again  the  savage,  and  brought  with 
him  five  other  tall,  proper  men.  They  had  every 
man  a  deer's  skin  on  him,  and  the  principal  of  them 
had  a  wild  cat's  skin,  or  such  like,  on  the  one  arm. 
They  had  most  of  them  long  hosen  up  to  their  groins, 
close  made,  and  above  their  groins  to  their  waist 
another  leather ;  they  were  altogether  like  the  Irish 
trousers.  They  are  of  complexion  like  our  English 
gipseys ;  no  hair  or  very  little  on  their  faces  ;  on  their 
heads  long  hair  to  their  shoulders,  only  cut  before ; 
some  trussed  up  before  with  a  feather,  broad-wise, 
like  a  fan ;  another  a  fox  tail,  hanging  out.  These 
left  (according  to  our  charge  given  him  before)  their 
bows  and  arrows  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  our  town. 
We  gave  them  entertainment  as  we  thought  was 
fitting  them.  They  did  eat  liberally  of  our  English 
victuals.  They  made  semblance  unto  us  of  friend- 
ship and  amity.  They  sang  and  danced  after  their 
manner,  like  antics.  They  brought  with  them  in  a 
thing  like  a  bow-case,  (which  the  principal  of  them 
had  about  his  waist,)  a  little  of  their  corn  pounded 
to  powder,  which,  put  to  a  little  water,  they  eat. 
He  had  a  little  tobacco  in  a  bag ;  but  none  of  them 
drank  but  when  he  liked.  Some  of  them  had  their 
faces  painted  black,  from  the  forehead  to  the  chin, 
four  or  five  fingers  broad ;  others  after  other  fashions, 
as  they  liked.     They  brought  three  or  four  skins ;  but 


76  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

we  would  not  truck  with  them  at  all  that  day,  but 
wished  them  to  bring  more,  and  we  would  truck  for 
all ;  which  they  promised  within  a  night  or  two,  and 
would  leave  these  behind  them,  though  we  were  not 
willing  they  should ;  and  they  brought  us  all  our 
tools  again,  which  were  taken  in  the  woods,  in  our 
men's  absence.  So,  because  of  the  day,  we  dismissed 
them  so  soon  as  we  could.  But  Samoset,  our  first 
acquaintance,  either  was  sick  or  feigned  himself  so, 
and  would  not  go  with  them,  and  stayed  with  us  till 
"Wednesday  morning.  '  Then  we  sent  him  to  them, 
to  know  the  reason  they  came  not  according  to  their 
words ;  and  we  gave  him  a  hat,  a  pair  of  stockings 
and  shoes,  a  shirt,  and  a  piece  of  cloth  to  tie  about 
his  waist. 

1  The  Sabbath  day,  when  we  sent  them  from  us, 
we  gave  every  one  of  them  some  trifles,  especially 
the  principal  of  them.  We  carried  them,  along  with 
our  arms,  to  the  place  where  they  left  their  bows  and 
arrows  ;  whereat  they  were  amazed,  and  two  of  them 
began  to  slink  away,  but  that  the  other  called  them. 
When  they  took  their  arrows  we  bade  them  farewell, 
and  they  were  glad  ;  and  so,  with  many  thanks  given 
us,  they  departed,  with  promise  they  would  come 
again. 

'  Monday  and  Tuesday  proved  fair  days.  We 
digged  our  grounds  and  sowed  our  garden  seeds. 

'  Wednesday,  a  fine  warm  day.  We  sent  away 
Samoset. 

'  That  day  we  had  again  a  meeting  to  conclude  of 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  77 

laws  and  orders  for  ourselves,  and  to  confirm  those 
military  orders  that  were  formerly  propounded,  and 
twice  broken  off  by  the  savages'  coming.  But  so  we 
were  again  the  third  time  ;  for  after  we  had  been  an 
hour  together,  on  the  top  of  the  hill  over  against  us, 
two  or  three  savages  presented  themselves,  that  made 
semblance  of  daring  us,  as  we  thought.  So  Captain 
Standish  with  another,  with  their  muskets,  went 
over  to  them,  with  two  of  the  master's  mates  that 
follows  them  without  arms,  having  two  muskets 
with  them.  They  whetted  and  rubbed  their  arrows 
and  strings,  and  made  show  of  defiance ;  but  when 
our  men  drew  near  them,  they  ran  away.  Thus 
were  we  again  interrupted  by  them.  This  day,  with 
much  ado,  we  got  our  carpenter,  that  had  been  long 
sick  of  the  scurvy,  to  fit  our  shallop  to  fetch  all  from 
aboard. 

•  Thursday,  the  22d  of  March,  was  a  very  fair, 
warm  day.  About  noon  we  met  again  about  our 
public  business.  But  we  had  scarce  been  an  hour 
together,  but  Samoset  came  again,  and  Squanto,  the 
only  native  of  Patuxet,  where  we  now  inhabit,  who 
was  one  of  the  twenty  captives  that  by  Hunt  were 
carried  away,  and  had  been  in  England,  and  dwelt 
in  Cornhill  with  Master  John  Slanie,  a  merchant,  and 
could  speak  a  little  English,  with  three  others ;  and> 
they  brought  with  them  some  few  skins  to  truck, 
and  some  red  herrings,  newly  taken  and  dried,  but 
not  salted;  and  signified  unto  us  that  their  great  sag- 
amore,  Massasoyt,  was  hard  by,  with  Quadequina, 
7* 


78  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

his  brother,  and  all  their  men.  They  could  not  well 
express  in  English  what  they  would ;  but  after  an 
hour  the  king  came  to  the  top  of  a  hill  over  against 
us,  and  had  in  his  train  sixty  men,  that  we  could  well 
behold  them,  and  they  us.  We  were  not  willing  to 
send  our  governor  to  them,  and  they  were  unwilling 
to  come  to  us.  So  Squanto  went  again  unto  him, 
who  brought  word  that  we  should  send  one  to  parley 
with  him,  which  we  did,  which  was  Edward  Winsloe, 
to  know  his  mind,  and  to  signify  the  mind  and  will 
of  our  governor,  which  was  to  have  trading  and  peace 
with  him.  We  sent  to  the  king  a  pair  of  knives,  and 
a  copper  chain  with  a  jewel  at  it.  To  Quadequina 
we  sent  likewise  a  knife,  and  a  jewel  to  hang  in  his 
ear,  and  withal  a  pot  of  strong  water,  a  good  quantity 
of  biscuit,  and  some  butter ;  which  were  all  willingly 
accepted. 

'  Our  messenger  made  a  speech  unto  him,  that 
King  James  saluted  him  with  words  of  love  and 
peace,  and  did  accept  of  him  as  his  friend  and  ally ; 
and  that  our  governor  desired  to  see  him  and  to  truck 
with  him,  and  to  confirm  a  peace  with  him,  as  his 
next  neighbour.  He  liked  well  of  the  speech,  and 
heard  it  attentively,  though  the  interpreters  did  not 
well  express  it.  After  he  had  eaten  and  drunk  him- 
self, and  given  the  rest  to  his  company,  he  looked 
upon  our  messenger's  sword  and  armor,  which  he  had 
on,  with  intimation  of  his  desire  to  buy  it ;  but,  on  the 
other  side,  our  messenger  showed  his  unwillingness 
to  part  with  it.     In  the  end,  he  left  him  in  the  custody 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  79 

of  Quadequina,  his  brother,  and  came  over  the  brook, 
and  some  twenty  men  followed  him,  leaving  all  their 
bows  and  arrows  behind  them.  We  kept  six  or 
seven  as  hostages  for  our  messenger.  Captain  Stan- 
dish  and  Master  Williamson  met  the  king  at  the 
brook,  with  half  a  dozen  musketeers.  They  saluted 
him,  and  he  them ;  so  one  going  over,  the  one  on  the 
one  side,  and  the  other  on  the  other,  conducted  him 
to  a  house  then  in  building,  where  we  placed  a  green 
rug  and  three  or  four  cushions.  Then  instantly  came 
our  governor,  with  drum  and  trumpet  after  him,  and 
some  few  musketeers.  After  salutations,  our  gover- 
nor kissing  his  hand,  the  king  kissed  him  ;  and  so  they 
sat  down.  The  governor  called  for  some  strong 
water,  and  drunk  to  him ;  and  he  drunk  a  great 
draught,  that  made  him  sweat  all  the  while  after. 
He  called  for  a  little  fresh  meat,  which  the  king  did 
eat  willingly,  and  did  give  his  followers.  Then  they 
treated  of  peace,  which  was  : 

'  1.  That  neither  he  nor  any  of  his  should  injure  or 
do  hurt  to  any  of  our  people. 

'■  2.  And  if  any  of  his  did  hurt  to  any  of  ours,  he 
should  send  the  offender,  that  we  might  punish  him. 

'3.  That  if  any  of  our  tools  were  taken  away, 
when  our  people  were  at  work,  he  should  cause 
them  to  be  restored ;  and  if  ours  did  any  harm  to 
any  of  his,  we  would  do  the  like  to  them. 

?  4.  If  any  did  unjustly  war  against  him,  we  would 
aid  him;  if  any  did  war  against  us,  he  should  aid  us. 

'  5.    He  should  send  to  his  neighbour  confederates 


80  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

to  certify  them  of  this,  that  they  might  not  wrong  us, 
but  might  be  likewise  comprised  in  the  conditions  of 
peace. 

1  6.  That  when  their  men  came  to  us,  they  should 
leave  their  bows  and  arrows  behind  them,  as  we 
should  do  our  pieces  when  we  came  to  them. 

'  Lastly,  that  doing  thus,  King  James  would  esteem 
of  him  as  his  friend  and  ally. 

'All  which  the  King  seemed  to  like  well,  and  it  was 
applauded  of  his  followers.  All  the  while  he  sat  by 
the  governor,  he  trembled  for  fear.  In  his  person  he 
is  a  very  lusty  man,  in  his  best  years,  an  able  body, 
grave  of  countenance,  and  spare  of  speech;  in  his 
attire  little  or  nothing  differing  from  the  rest  of  his 
followers,  only  in  a  great  chain  of  white  bone  beads 
about  his  neck;  and  at  it,  behind  his  neck,  hangs  a 
little  bag  of  tobacco,  which  he  drank,  and  gave  us  to 
drink.  His  face  was  painted  with  a  sad  red,  like 
murrey,  and  oiled  both  head  and  face,  that  he  looked 
greasily.  All  his  followers  likewise  were  in  their 
faces,  in  part  or  in  whole,  painted,  some  black,  some 
red,  some  yellow,  and  some  white,  some  with  crosses, 
and  other  antic  works ;  some  had  skins  on  them,  and 
some  naked  ;  all  strong,  tall  men  in  appearance. 

'  So  after  all  was  done,  the  governor  conducted  him 
to  the  brook,  and  there  they  embraced  each  other, 
and  he  departed ;  we  diligently  keeping  our  hostages. 
We  expected  our  messenger's  coming ;  but  anon 
word  was  brought  us  that  Quadequina  was  coming, 
and  our  messenger  was  stayed  till  his  return;  who 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  8l 

presently  came,  and  a  troop  with  him.  So  likewise 
we  entertained  him,  and  conveyed  him  to  the  place 
prepared.  He  was  very  feaiful  of  our  pieces,  and 
made  signs  of  dislike,  that  they  should  be  carried 
away ;  whereupon  commandment  was  given  they 
should  be  laid  away.  He  was  a  very  proper,  tall 
young  man,  of  a  very  modest  and  seemly  counte- 
nance, and  he  did  kindly  like  of  our  entertainment. 
So  we  conveyed  him  likewise,  as  we  did  the  king ; 
but  divers  of  their  people  stayed  still.  When  he 
was  returned,  then  they  dismissed  our  messenger. 
Two  of  his  people  would  have  stayed  all  night ;  but 
we  would  not  suffer  it.  One  thing  I  forgot ;  the  king 
had  in  his  bosom,  hanging  in  a  string,  a  great  long 
knife.  He  marvelled  much  at  our  trumpet,  and  some 
of  his  men  would  sound  it  as  well  as  they  could. 
Samoset  and  Squanto,  they  stayed  all  night  with  us  ; 
and  the  king  and  all  his  men  lay  all  night  in  the 
woods  not  above  half  an  English  mile  from  us,  and 
all  their  wives  and  women  with  them.  They  said 
that  within  eight  or  nine  days  they  would  come  and 
set  corn  on  the  other  side  of  the  brook,  and  dwell 
there  all  summer;  which  is  hard  by  us.  That  night 
we  kept  good  watch ;  but  there  was  no  appearance 
of  danger. 

•  The  next  morning,  divers  of  their  people  came 
over  to  us,  hoping  to  get  some  victuals,  as  we  imag- 
ined. Some  of  them  told  us  the  king  would  have 
some  of  us  come  see  him.  Captain  Standish  and 
Isaac   Alderton  went  venturously,  who  were  wel- 


82  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

corned  of  him  after  their  manner.  He  gave  them 
three  or  four  ground-nuts  and  some  tobacco.  We 
cannot  yet  conceive  but  that  he  is  willing  to  have 
peace  with  us ;  for  they  have  seen  our  people  some- 
times alone  two  or  three  in  the  woods  at  work  and 
fowling,  whenas  they  offered  them  no  harm,  as  they 
might  easily  have  done ;  and  especially  because  he 
hath  a  potent  adversary,  the  Narowhigansets,  that 
are  at  war  with  him,  against  whom  he  thinks  we 
may  be  some  strength  to  him ;  for  our  pieces  are  ter- 
rible unto  them.  This  morning  they  staid  till  ten  or 
eleven  of  the  clock;  and  our  governor  bid  them 
send  the  king's  kettle,  and  filled  it  full  of  pease, 
which  pleased  them  well*  and  so  they  went  their 
way. 

'  Friday  was  a  very  fair  day.  Samoset  and  Squanto 
still  remained  with  us.  Squanto  went  at  noon  to  fish 
for  eels.  At  night  he  came  home  with  as  many  as 
he  could  well  lift  in  one  hand;  which  our  people 
were  glad  of;  they  were  fat  and  sweet.  He  trod 
them  out  with  his  feet,  and  so  caught  them  with  his 
hands,  without  any  other  instrument. 

1  This  day  we  proceeded  on  with  our  common  busi- 
ness, from  which  we  had  been  so  often  hindered  by 
the  salvages'  coming ;  and  concluded  both  of  military 
orders  and  of  some  laws  and  orders  as  we  thought 
behoovefnl  for  our  present  estate  and  condition ;  and 
did  likewise  choose  our  governor  for  this  year,  which 
was  Master  John  Carver,  a  man  well  approved 
(See  Appendix,    C.) 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  83 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  visit  of  Winslow  and  Hopkins  to   Pokanoket  — 
arrival  of  the  Ship  Fortune — Eward  Wins- 
low's  letter  to   George  Morton. 

The  preceding  chapter  contains  the  most  minute 
account  on  record,  of  the  daily  transactions  immedi- 
ately after  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims,  penned  by  one 
or  more  of  their  own  number,  and  enables  us  in  some 
good  degree,  to  identify  ourselves  with  the  hopes, 
fears,  and  labors,  incident  to  that  eventful  period  of 
their  history. 

The  appearance  of  Samoset,  was  not  only  an  unex- 
pected occurrence,  but  one  of  great  importance  to  the 
pilgrims,  previous  to  which,  no  intercourse  had  oc- 
curred between  them  and  the  surrounding  natives. 
The  first  encounter  at  Nauset,  (Eastham,)  had  doubt- 
less left  an  unfavorable  impression  on  the  minds  of 
the  savages,  and  could  not  have  failed,  strongly  to 
excite  their  hostility  against  those  who  were  doubt- 
less regarded  in  no  better  light  than  as  lawless 
intruders.  , 

The  treacherous  conduct  of  Hunt,  some  years 
before,  in  the  abduction  of  several  Indians  belonging 
to  Nauset,  had  inspired  an  indignation,  which  at  last 
burst  upon  the  unoffending  heads  of  the  pilgrims. 
This  rencounter  was  unquestionably  blazoned 
abroad,  throughout  the  whole  Indian  country,  with  a 


82  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

corned  of  him  after  their  manner.  He  gave  them 
three  or  four  ground-nuts  and  some  tobacco.  We 
cannot  yet  conceive  but  that  he  is  willing  to  have 
peace  with  us ;  for  they  have  seen  our  people  some- 
times alone  two  or  three  in  the  woods  at  work  and 
fowling,  whenas  they  offered  them  no  harm,  as  they 
might  easily  have  done ;  and  especially  because  he 
hath  a  potent  adversary,  the  Narowhigansets,  that 
are  at  war  with  him,  against  whom  he  thinks  we 
may  be  some  strength  to  him ;  for  our  pieces  are  ter- 
rible unto  them.  This -morning  they  staid  till  ten  or 
eleven  of  the  clock;  and  our  governor  bid  them 
send  the  king's  kettle,  and  filled  it  full  of  pease, 
which  pleased  them  well*  and  so  they  went  their 
way. 

'  Friday  was  a  very  fair  day.  Samoset  and  Squanto 
still  remained  with  us.  Squanto  went  at  noon  to  fish 
for  eels.  At  night  he  came  home  with  as  many  as 
he  could  well  lift  in  one  hand;  which  our  people 
were  glad  of;  they  were  fat  and  sweet.  He  trod 
them  out  with  his  feet,  and  so  caught  them  with  his 
hands,  without  any  other  instrument. 

'  This  day  we  proceeded  on  with  our  common  busi- 
ness, from  which  we  had  been  so  often  hindered  by 
the  salvages'  coming ;  and  concluded  both  of  military 
orders  and  of  some  laws  and  orders  as  we  thought 
behooveful  for  our  present  estate  and  condition ;  and 
did  likewise  choose  our  governor  for  this  year,  which 
was  Master  John  Carver,  a  man  well  approved 
(See  Appendix,    C.) 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  83 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

The  visit  of  Winslow  and  Hopkins  to   Pokanoket  — 
arrival  of  the  Ship  Fortune — Eward  Wins- 
low's  letter  to   George  Morton. 

The  preceding  chapter  contains  the  most  minute 
account  on  record,  of  the  daily  transactions  immedi- 
ately after  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrims,  penned  by  one 
or  more  of  their  own  number,  and  enables  us  in  some 
good  degree,  to  identify  ourselves  with  the  hopes, 
fears,  and  labors,  incident  to  that  eventful  period  of 
their  history. 

The  appearance  of  Samoset,  was  not  only  an  unex- 
pected occurrence,  but  one  of  great  importance  to  the 
pilgrims,  previous  to  which,  no  intercourse  had  oc- 
curred between  them  and  the  surrounding  natives. 
The  first  encounter  at  Nauset,  (Eastham,)  had  doubt- 
less left  an  unfavorable  impression  on  the  minds  of 
the  savages,  and  could  not  have  failed,  strongly  to 
excite  their  hostility  against  those  who  were  doubt- 
less regarded  in  no  better  light  than  as  lawless 
intruders.  / 

The  treacherous  conduct  of  Hunt,  some  years 
before,  in  the  abduction  of  several  Indians  belonging 
to  Nauset,  had  inspired  an  indignation,  which  at  last 
burst  upon  the  unoffending  heads  of  the  pilgrims. 
This  rencounter  was  unquestionably  blazoned 
abroad,  throughout  the  whole  Indian  country,  with  a 


86  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

shocked,  at  an  act,  justified  by  necessity,  and  per- 
formed at  the  time,  with  a  sincere  purpose  of  restitu- 
tion, which  was  tendered  and  accepted,  upon  the  first 
occasion  that  offered. 

The  messengers  left  Plymouth  about  nine  o'clock 
on  Tuesday  morning,  July  3d.  On  the  way,  they 
met  ten  or  twelve  men,  women  and  children,  who 
according  to  their  customary  wandering  life,  had 
resorted  to  the  sea  shore  for  lobsters  and  other  shell 
fish,  and  now  returned  with  them  to  Namasket* 
where  they  arrived  at  about  three  o'clock  in  the  after- 
noon. They  were  kindly  received  by  the  Indians  at 
Namasket,  and  were  entertained  in  the  best  manner 
consistent  with  the  habits  of  savage  life.  They  were 
supplied  with  bread,  called  by  the  Indians  Maizium, 
(Indian  Corn)  and  the  spawn  of  shad,  of  which  latter 
they  had  an  abundance. 

Complaint  was  made  by  the  Indians  of  the  great 
damage  they  had  sustained  from  the  depredations  of 
the  crows  in  their  corn-fields,  and  one  of  the  messen- 
gers, by  request,  shot  off  his  musket,  and  killed 
several   of  them,   much  to   their   admiration. 

Tisquantum,   having    intimated    the  difficulty   of 


*  In  a  letter  received  from  the  late  Thomas  Bennet,  Esq.,  he  ob- 
serves, '  The  Indian  path  from  Namasket  to  Plymouth  road,  crossed 
the  Namasket  River,  where  the  bridge  now  is  half  a  mile  from 
Middleborough  Four  Corners,  and  near  Pierce  &  Woods  factory,  (this 
was  the  wading  place)  and  ran  nearly  as  the  road  now  does,  to 
Philip's  Spring,  a  little  distance  back  of  the  meeting  house  on  Carver 
Green.' 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE     PILGRIMS.  87 

reaching  Pokanokct  *  in  one  day,  advised  them  to 
proceed  about  8  miles  further,  where  better  provision 
might  be  obtained,  to  which  place  they  arrived  about 
sunset,  and  found  several  Namasket  Indians  fishing  at 
a  wear.f  They  were  gladly  received,  and  a  contribu- 
tion of  provision  from  both  parties,  supplied  an  ample 
repast.  Here  they  spent  the  night,  lodging  in  the  open 
air,  there  being  no  wigwams  or  other  accommodation. 

The  next  morning,  after  breakfast,  accompanied 
by  six  Indians,  they  continued  their  journey  about 
six  miles  along  the  river  to  a  '  known  shoal  place, t 
where  they  were  advised  to  throw  off  their  garments 
to  render  fording  the  river  more  convenient.  Here 
they  encountered  two  aged  savages  on  the  opposite 
side,  disposed  to  contest  their  passage  across  the 
river,  but  on  ascertaining  that  they  were  friends, 
desisted,  and  very  promptly  rendered  them  every 
assistance  in  their  power. 

The  Indians  in  company  were  quite  attentive  to 
the  travelers,  kindly  offering  to  carry  their  pieces  and 
clothes,  and  even  to  convey  them  over  the  streams 
where  no  bridges  existed  in  that  early  day.  Traces 
of  former  habitations  and  extensive  cornfields  were 

*  This  was  the  Indian  name  applied  to  the  country  now  embraced 
within  the  limits  of  Bristol,  Warren,  and  Barrington  in  Rhode  Island, 
and  part  of  Swanzey  and  Sekonk  in  Massachusetts. 

t  This  place  is  near  the  village  of  Titicut,  on  Taunton  river,  in  the 
north  west  part  of  Middleborough,  and  was  formerly  called  the  Old 
Indian  wear. 

\  Baylies  says  in  vol.  1,  page  75,  '  this  place  is  near  the  new  forge, 
on  Taunton  River,  about  three  miles  from  the  Green.' 


88  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

found  on  the  borders  of  the  river,  where  the  Indians 
had  fallen  victims  to  the  plague  which  raged  so 
fatally  a  few  years  before  the  Pilgrims  arrived. 

Stopping  at  a  town  of  Massasoit' s  on  the  way,  they 
were  regaled  with  oysters  and  other  fish,  and  from 
thence  arrived  at  Pokanocket.*  Massasoit  being 
absent,  was  notified  of  their  arrival,  and  soon  made 
his  appearance,  and  was  received  by  the  messengers 
with  a  salute  from  their  pieces.  Massasoit  received 
his  visitors  very  kindly  and  invited  them  to  his  house. 
After  delivering  the  message  from  their  Governor, 
and  the  presents  by  which  it  was  accompanied,  they 
placed  the  chain  on  his  neck,  and  the  coat  on  his  back, 
at  which  he  and  his  men  appeared  much  delighted. 

Massasoit  in  reply  to  the  message,  bid  them  wel- 
come, expressed  his  desire  for  the  preservation  of 
peace  with  the  English,  and  promised  so  to  regulate 
the  intercourse  of  his  subjects  with  Plymouth,  as  to 
prevent  further  annoyance  from  them  in  future.  He 
then  called  his  men  around  him,  addressed  them  in 
a  long  speech,  urging  them  to  a  peaceful  course,  and 
requiring  them  to  trade  with  the  English,  and  after 
naming  thirty  different  places  of  trade,  and  receiving 
answers  of  approbation  from  those  present,  the  inter- 
view ended. 


*  The  residence  of  Massasoit  at  this  time  was  at  Sowams,  now 
"Warren  in  Rhode  Island.  Dr.  Morse  in  the  5lh  octavo  vol.  of  his 
Geography,  1805,  in  a  description  of  Warren  says,  '  This  was  also  the 
dwelling  place  of  Massasoit.  His  spring,  near  the  margin  of  the  river 
still  bears  his  name.'     See  His.  of  Warren  by  G.  W-  Fessenden. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  89 

The  next  day  many  of  his  sachems  and  subjects, 
visited  the  dwelling  of  Massasoit  and  practiced  their 
customary  games  for  knives  and  skins,  the  rage  for 
gambling  being  a  well  known  characteristic  of  the 
Indian  race.  On  this  occasion  one  of  the  messengers 
shooting,  by  request,  at  a  mark,  it  excited  much 
wonder  among  the  Indians  when  they  perceived  the 
holes  produced  by  the  hail  shot  with  which  the 
musket  was  charged. 

But  notwithstanding  the  extent  of  Massasoit's 
dominions,  the  fare  presented  to  his  English  friends 
upon  this  occasion,  was  extremely  meagre,  and  far 
from  corresponding  with  the  dignity  of  royal  authority, 
two  boiled  fish  being  the  main  articles  comprised  in  the 
bill  of  fare,  of  which  forty  persons  were  to  partake. 
Scanty  fare,  bad  lodging,  and  a  desire  to  reach 
home  before  the  next  Sabbath,  induced  them  to  take 
leave  of  Massasoit,  and  to  decline  his  urgent  solicita- 
tions to  prolong  their  visit,  which  were  accompanied 
at  parting  with  many  regrets  for  his  inability  to  afford 
them  better  entertainment.  Tisquantum  remained 
with  Massasoit  with  a  view  to  visit  the  neighboring 
tribes  and  make  arrangements  for  future  trade, 
and  Tokamahamon,  was  appointed  in  his  place, 
who  had  previously  been  found  faithful,  and  never 
afterwards  deceived  them.  They  commenced  their 
journey  home,  following  the  same  route  by  which 
they  came,  and  arrived  at  Plymouth  on  Saturday 
evening,  after  an  absence  of  five  days,  exhausted  by 
fatigue,  hunger,  and  storms  of  rain. 
8* 


90  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

This  visit  produced  the  most  favorable  results  to 
the  colony.  It  led  to  a  better  knowledge  of  the 
surrounding  country,  extended  their  acquaintance 
with  the  natives,  and  greatly  enlarged  the  sphere  of 
their  traffic. 

Soon  after  this  an  expedition  of  ten  men  was  fitted 
out  to  recover  a  boy,  John  Eillington,  who  having 
been  lost  in  the  woods  for  several  days,  wandered 
from  one  place  to  another,  subsisting  upon  berries. 
Enquiries  were  made  among  the  natives,  and  Massa- 
soit  informed  the  English,  that  the  boy  was  at  Nauset. 
He  had  been  absent  wandering  about  for  five  days, 
and  then  reached  a  place  called  Manomet,  twenty 
miles  south  of  Plymouth,  and  from  thence  was  con- 
veyed to  the  Nausites  on  Cape  Cod. 

Towards  the  latter  part  of  July,  the  shallop  got 
under  way,  having  ten  men  on  board,  with  Tisquan- 
tum  as  interpreter,  and  Tokamahamon,  a  special 
Indian  friend.  In  a  short  time  after  leaving  the  har- 
bor, they  were  overtaken  by  a  storm,  which  induced 
them  to  anchor  at  Cummaquid,  (Barnstable)  and 
spend  the  night. 

In  the  morning  they  discovered  savages  on  shore, 
and  sending  their  two  interpreters,  ascertained  that 
the  lost  boy  was  well  and  at  Nauset.  Receiving  an 
invitation,  they  visited  the  Sachem  of  Cummaquid, 
named  Jyanough,  a  man  not  more  that  twenty -six 
years  old,  'but  gentle,  courteous,  fair  conditioned, 
indeed  not  like  a  savage,  save  for  his  attire.  His 
entertainment  was  answerable  to  his  parts,  and  his 
cheer  ample  and  various.' 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  91 

On  this  occasion  they  met  with  an  old  Indian 
woman  supposed  to  be  more  than  one  hundred  years 
old,  who  had  never  seen  the  English  before,  but  at 
sight  of  them  burst  into  the  most  violent  exclama- 
tions of  grief  and  indignation.  This  arose  from 
the  fact  that  some  years  before,  when  Capt.  Hunt 
visited  the  country,  her  son  went  on  board  his  ship, 
and  was  carried  a  captive  to  Spain,  in  company  with 
Tisquantum.  She  was  pacified  at  last  by  means  of 
gentle  words,  and  a  few  small  presents.  In  the  after- 
noon they  proceeded  to  Nauset  in  company  with 
Jyanough  and  two  of  his  men,  where  they  arrived 
just  before  evening.  They  succeeded  in  recovering 
the  lost  boy,  and  received  him  from  the  hands  of 
Aspinet,  the  Sachem  of  Nauset,  by  whom  he  had 
been  plentifully  ornamented  with  beads. 

At  this  place  they  received  information  that  Mass- 
assoit  had  been  captured  by  the  Naragansets,  which 
induced  them  to  hasten  their  return,  justly  fearing 
that  Plymouth  might  be  in  danger,  when  so  few  were 
left  for  its  defence.  The  whole  number  of  able-bodied 
men  at  this  time  was  only  nineteen,  and  ten  of  these 
were  absent  on  the  expedition  to  Nauset,  leaving 
only  nine  at  home.  They  were  obliged  to  put  in  at 
Cummaquid  on  their  return,  where  they  received 
from  the  ■  courteous  Sachem  Jyanough,  the  most 
hospitable  attentions.' 

On  returning  from  Nauset,  the  rumors  respecting 
Massassoit  were  confirmed,  intelligence  having  been 
received  that  Corbitant,  one  of  his  Sachems,  in  secret 


92  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

conjunction  with  the  Naragansetts  had  arrived  at 
Namasket,  and  was  aiming  to  seduce  the  Indians  of 
that  place  from  their  allegiance.  He  expressed  the 
most  violent  indignation  towards  the  English,  on  ac- 
count of  the  peace  they  had  recently  made  at  Nauset, 
and  abused  Tisquantum,  Hobbamock,  and  Tokama- 
hamon  by  whose  friendly  instrumentality  it  had  prin- 
cipally been  effected.  Tisquantum  and  Hobbomack 
having  privately  repaired  to  Namasket  to  ascertain 
the  true  state  of  affairs  in  that  quarter,  were 
discovered  by  Corbitant,  who  guarded  the  house  in 
which  they  lodged,  seized  Tisquantum,  and  threaten- 
ed Hobbamock,  the  latter  escaping  however,  by  means 
of  his  great  strength  and  skill,  arrived  at  Plymouth 
in  safety,  with  this  alarming  intelligence.  In  conse- 
quence of  this  high-handed  measure  on  the  part  of 
Corbitant,  ten  men  were  dispatched  to  Namasket  on 
the  15th  of  August,  under  the  command  of  Capt. 
Miles  Standish,  with  Hobbamock  for  a  guide.  They 
arrived  at  the  house  of  Corbitant  about  midnight,  and 
found  him  absent.  This  unexpected  attack  produced 
great  consternation  among  the  savages,  some  of  whom 
were  wounded  in  attempting  to  escape.  In  the 
morning  Capt.  Standish  marched  into  the  Town, 
where  he  met  the  friendly  Indians,  and  found  that 
Corbitant  and  his  adherents  had  fled,  alarmed  no 
doubt,  at  the  decisive  course  of  Standish  and  those 
under  his  charge.  Having  expressed  fully,  the  object 
of  the  expedition  to  Namasket,  and  a  desire  for 
continued  peace,  they  departed  for  Plymouth,  taking 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  93 

in  charge  one  man  and  a  woman  who  had  been 
wounded. 

Though  the  rumor  respecting  the  seizure  of  Mass- 
assoit  by  the  Narragansetts  proved  unfounded, the  ex- 
pedition under  Standish,  by  its  intrepid  course  of 
action,  produced  the  most  salutary  effects,  and 
induced  the  surrounding  tribes  to  submission,  not 
excepting  Corbitant  himself,  who  solicited  the  friend- 
ly interference  of  Massassoit,  to  effect  a  reconcilia- 
tion with   the  government  of  Plymouth. 

The  preceding  narrative  conclusively  shows,  that 
notwithstanding  the  wasting  sickness  of  the  winter, 
the  small  number  that  survived  that  awful  calamity, 
upon  the  return  of  spring,  engaged  with  great  zeal 
and  industry,  in  the  various  pursuits  required  by  the 
peculiar  circumstances  of  their  condition.  They  had 
during  the  spring  and  summer  accomplished  a  great 
work.  They  had  established  a  government,  on  the 
basis  of  freedom,  had  secured  peace  with  the  sur- 
rounding tribes,  whose  first  signal  had  been  that  of 
open  hostility ;  had  in  the  most  intrepid  manner, 
quelled  a  threatened  war  with  their  neighbors  ;  and 
had  opened  a  profitable  traffic  in  various  directions. 
The  prospects  of  the  colony  were  highly  favorable. 
On  the  9th  of  November,  a  vessel,  the  Fortune,  of 
55  tons  burthen,  arrived  from  England  with  thirty-five 
passengers  ;  an  arrival  not  less  joyful  than  unexpected 
to  the  remnant  which  had  so  nobly  maintained  their 
post  through  the  heavy  pressure  of  unparalleled  suf- 
ferings. 


94  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

The  Fortune  sailed  from  London  early  in  July,  but 
could  not  clear  the  English,  channel  till  the  end  of 
August,  which  accounts  for  her  long  passage. 

The  condition  and  prospects  of  the  colony  at  this 
time,  are  fully  described  in  a  letter  from  Edward 
Winslow,  subsequently  Governor  of  the  colony, 
directed,  as  is  supposed,  to  George  Morton,  then  in 
England,  who  arrived  in  the  Ann  in  1623.  This  letter 
bears  date,  Dec.  11,  1621,  and  was  sent  in  the  For- 
tune, which  vessel  returned  to  England  on  the  13th 
of  that  month.  That  part  of  the  letter  having  partic- 
ular reference  to  the  principal  occurrences  in  the 
colony,  from  the  time  of  the  landing,  will  doubtless 
be  interesting  to  the  reader,  and  is  as  follows  : 

December  11th,  1621. 
1  Loving  and  old  friend: 

'  Although  I  received  no  letter  from  you  by  this 
ship,  yet  forasmuch  as  I  know  you  expect  the  per- 
formance of  my  promise,  which  was  to  write  unto  you 
truly  and  faithfully  of  all  things,  I  have  therefore  at 
this  time,  sent  unto  you  accordingly,  referring  you  for 
further  satisfaction,  to  our  more  large  relations. 

1  You  shall  understand  that  in  this  little  time,  that 
a  few  of  us  have  been  here,  we  have  built  seven 
dwelling  houses,  and  four  for  the  use  of  the  planta- 
tion, and  have  made  preparations  for  divers  others. 
We  set  last  spring  some  twenty  acres  of  Indian  corn, 
and  sowed  some  six  acres  of  barley  and  pease ;  and 
according  to  the  manner  of  the  Indians,  we  manured 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  95 

one  ground  with  herrings  or  rather  shad*  which  we 
have  in  great  abundance,  and  take  with  great  ease 
at  our  doors.  Our  corn  did  prove  well ;  and  God  be 
praised,  we  had  a  good  increase  of  Indian  corn,  and 
our  barley  indifferent  good,  but  our  pease  not  worth 
gathering,  for  we  feared  they  were  too  late  sown. 
They  came  up  very  well  and  blossomed,  but  the  sun 
parched  them  in  the  blossom. 

1  Our  harvest  being  gotten  in,  our  governor  sent 
four  men  on  fowling,  that  so  we  might,  after  a  special 
manner,  rejoice  together  after  we  had  gathered  the 
fruit  of  our  labors.t  They  four  in  one  day  killed  as 
much  fowl  as,  with  a  little  help  beside,  served  the 
company  for  a  week.  At  which  time  amongst  other 
recreations,  we  exercised  our  arms,  many  of  the  In- 
dians coming  amongst  us,  and  among  the  rest,  their 
greatest  king,  Massasoyt,  with  some  ninety  men, 
whom  for  three  days  we  entertained  and  feasted,  and 
they  went  out  and  killed  five  deer,  which  they  brought 
to  the  plantation,  and  bestowed  upon  the  captain  and 
others.  And  although  it  be  not  always  so  plentiful 
as  it  was  at  this  time  with  us,  yet  by  the  goodness  of 
God,  we  are  so  far  from  want  that  we  wish  you  par- 
takers of  our  plenty. 

'  We  have  found  the  Indians  very  faithful  in  their 
covenant  of  peace  with  us,  very  loving,  and  ready  to 
pleasure  us.  We  often  go  to  them,  and  they  come 
to  us.     Some  of  us  have  been  fifty  miles  by  land,  in 

*  Alewives  are  here  probably  intended, 
f  The  first  Thanksgiving  of  New  England. 


95  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

the  country  with  them,  the  occasions  and  relations 
whereof,  you  shall  understand  by  our  more  full 
declaration  of  such  things  as  are  worth  the  noting. 
Yea,  it  hath  pleased  God  so  to  possess  the  Indians 
with  a  fear  of  us  and  love  unto  us,  that  not  only  the 
greatest  king  amongst  them,  called  Massasoyt,  but 
also  all  the  princes  and  peoples  round  about  us,  have 
either  made  suit  unto  us,  or  been  glad  of  any  occasion 
to  make  peace  with  us ;  so  that  seven  of  them  at 
once  have  sent  messengers  to  us  to  that  end.  Yea, 
an  ile  at  sea,  which  we  never  saw,  hath  also,  together 
with  the  former,  yielded  willingly  to  be  under  the 
protection  and  subject  to  our  sovereign  lord,  King 
James.  So  that  there  is  now  great  peace  among  the 
Indians  themselves,  which  was  not  formerly,  neither 
would  have  been  for  us ;  and  we  for  our  parts, 
walk  as  peaceably  and  safely  in  the  wood  as  in  the 
highway  of  England.  We  entertain  them  familiarly 
in  our  houses,  and  they  as  friendly  bestowing  their 
venison  on  us.  Our  supply  of  men  came  from  you 
the  9th  of  November,  1621,  putting  in  at  Cape  Cod, 
some  eight  or  ten  leagues  from  us.  The  Indians  that 
dwell  there  about,  were  they  who  were  owners  of 
the  corn  which  we  found  in  caves,  for  which  we  have 
given  them  full  content,  and  are  in  great  league  with 
them.  They  sent  us  word  there  was  a  ship  near  unto 
them,  but  thought  it  to  be  a  Frenchman;  and  indeed 
for  ourselves,  we  expected  not  a  friend  so  soon.  But 
when  we  perceived  that  she  made  for  our  bay,  the 
governor  commanded  a  piece  to  be  shot  off,  to  call 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  97 

home  such  as  were  abroad  at  work.  Whereupon 
every  man,  yea  boy,  that  could  handle  a  gun,  were 
ready  with  full  resolution  that,  if  she  were  an  enemy, 
we  would  stand  in  our  just  defence,  not  fearing  them. 
But  God  provided  better  for  us  than  we  supposed. 
These  came  all  in  health,  not  any  being  sick  by  the 
way,  otherwise  than  by  sea  sickness,  and  so  continue 
to  this  day  by  the  blessing  of  God. 

1  When  it  pleaseth  God  we  are  settled  and  fitted 
for  the  fishing  business  and  other  trading,  I  doubt 
not  by  the  blessing  of  God  the  gain  will  give  content 
to  all.  In  the  meantime  that  we  have  gotten,  we 
have  sent  by  this  ship,  and  though  it  be  not  much, 
yet  it  will  witness  for  us  that  we  have  not  been  idle, 
considering  the  smallness  of  our  numbers  all  this 
summer.  We  hope  the  merchants  will  accept  of  it, 
and  be  encouraged  to  furnish  us  with  all  things  need- 
ful for  further  employment,  which  will  also  encourage 
us  to  put  forth  ourselves  to  the  uttermost. 

E.  W.' 

The  Fortune  sailed  for  London  on  the  13th  of  De- 
cember. Mr.  Robert  Cushman  returned  in  her,  to 
manage  the  concerns  of  the  colony,  with  the  merchant 
adventurers,  and  she  was  freighted  with  two  hogs- 
heads of  beam-clapboards  and  sassafras,  estimated  as 
worth  five  hundred  pounds. 

Soon  after  her  departure,  the  governor  and  his 
9 


98  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

assistant,  Isaac  Allerton,  disposed  the  late  comers 
into  several  families.  As  the  Fortune  had  brought 
no  supply  of  provisions  for  the  colony,  the  increased 
number  to  be  supported,  and  the  small  amount  on 
hand,  rendered  it  of  the  first  importance  to  guard  in 
season  against  approaching  want.  Upon  enquiry  it 
was  ascertained  that  the  supplies  on  hand  would  not 
last  six  months  at  half  allowance,  and  the  whole 
company  were  put  upon  half  allowance,  'which  they 
bear  patiently.' 

In  addition  to  the  apprehension  of  famine,  the 
Indians  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  particularly 
the  powerful  tribe  of  the  Narragansetts,  notwith- 
standing the  peace  concluded  the  previous  summer, 
manifested  a  hostile  spirit.  Observing  the  increased 
number  of  settlers,  and  their  scanty  means  of  subsis- 
tence, they  regarded  the  present  occasion  as  favorable 
for  commencing  hostilities,  which  might  eventually 
lead  to  their  extermination.  The  early  and  firm 
friendship  established  between  the  Pilgrims  and 
Massassoit,  had  long  been  a  source  of  jealousy  to  the 
Narragansetts,  and  doubtless  had  obstructed  the  am- 
bitious views  of  Canonicus,  the  distinguished  chief  of 
that  tribe. 

In  January  1622,  a  messenger  in  company  with 
Tokamahamon,  arrived  at  Plymouth  from  Canonicus, 
and  enquiring  for  Tisquantum  who  was  then  absent, 
left  a  bundle  of  new  arrows,  wrapped  in  the  skin  of  a 
rattlesnake,  wishing  to  depart  immediately ;  but  Gov. 
Bradford  not  fully  comprehending  his  strange  demea- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  99 

nor,  committed  him  to  the  custody  of  Capt.  Standish, 
in  hopes  that  further  information  might  be  obtained 
from  him.  His  answers  to  the  enquiries  made,  were 
reluctant  and  partial,  but  implied  that  the  Narragan- 
setts  were  enemies  to  the  English,  and  that  Canoni- 
cus  had  taken  offence  through  the  misrepresentations 
of  one  concerned  in  the  settlement  of  peace,  the  pre- 
ceding summer.  The  messenger  was  then  released 
and  ordered  to  return  for  answer  to  Canonicus,  that 
the  government  of  Plymouth  had  heard  of  his  repeated 
threats,  and  were  prepared  to  encounter  his  hostility. 

When  Tisquantum  returned,  and  saw  the  arrows, 
and  heard  in  what  manner  the  messenger  had  con- 
ducted, he  informed  the  Governor,  that  to  send  the 
Rattlesnake's  skin  in  such  a  manner,  implied  enmity, 
and  was  a  challenge.  The  governor  then  stuffed  the 
skin  with  powder  and  shot,  and  returned  it  to  Canon- 
icus in  the  same  tone  of  defiance,  but  he  refused  to 
receive  it,  or  even  touch  the  powder  and  shot,  or  suffer 
it  to  remain  in  the  country,  and  it  passed  through 
several  hands  till  it  eventually  reached  Plymouth 
from  whence  it  came. 

Notwithstanding  the  high  tone  of  defiance,  assumed 
by  the  government  of  Plymouth,  towards  Canonicus, 
it  was  deemed  expedient,  considering  their  weakness, 
forthwith  to  prepare  more  efficient  means  of  defence, 
in  case  his  threats  should  terminate  in  open  hostility. 
In  the  month  of  February  the  town  was  impaled,  and 
Capt.  Standish  divided  all  that  were  capable  of  bear- 
ing arms   into    four  squadrons,   assigning   them  to 


100  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

different   stations,   and   the   town   assumed  a  more 
military  aspect  than  it  had  ever  exhibited  before. 

After  these  military  preparations  were  completed, 
which  doubtless  had  a  tendency  to  repress  the  threat- 
ened Indian  hostilities,  it  was  decided  to  visit  the 
Massachusets  again,  according  to  a  previous  promise, 
for  the  purpose  of  traffic  in  furs.  Hobbamock,  the 
undeviating  friend  of  the  English,  informed  them  of 
his  fears,  that  the  Massachusets  and  Narragansetts 
were  engaged  in  a  confederacy,  and  would  probably 
take  the  occasion,  should  they  go  on  this  intended 
expedition,  to  cut  off  Capt.  Standish  and  his  men, 
and  intimated  that  Tisquantum  was  concerned  in  the 
plot.  Notwithstanding  the  counsel  of  Hobbamock, 
it  was  determined  to  undertake  the  expedition,  and 
Capt.  Standish  with  ten  men,  having  Tisquantum 
and  Hobbamock  in  company,  sailed  in  March  for  the 
Massachusets,  but  had  proceeded  no  farther  than  the 
gurnet's  nose,  when  they  were  recalled  by  three 
alarm  guns  from  the  fort,  which  induced  them  forth- 
with to  return. 

On  reaching  town  they  found  every  man  on  his 
guard  in  expectation  of  an  attack  from  the  Indians, 
and  it  appeared  that  soon  after  their  departure,  one 
of  Tisquantum's  family,  came  running  into  the  town, 
having  his  face  wounded,  and  the  blood  flowing,  often 
turning  behind  as  if  fearing  some  one  in  pursuit.  He  af- 
firmed that  many  Narragansetts,  with  Massassoit  and 
Corbitant,  were  at  Namasket,  intending  to  embrace 
the  opportunity,  while   Standish  was  absent,  to  as- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  101 

sault  the  town,  and  further  declared,  that  he  had 
received  his  wounds  in  venturing  to  speak  in  behalf 
of  the  English. 

Upon  learning  this  statement  of  affairs,  Hobbamock 
pronounced  it  entirely  false,  and  vouched  for  the 
fidelity  of  Massassoit ;  presuming  that  he  would  never 
have  engaged  in  such  a  measure  without  his  knowl- 
edge, it  being  customary  before  undertaking  such 
enterprises,  to  consult  his  chief  counsellors  or  pinese, 
of  which  he  was  one.  A  messenger,  the  wife  of 
Hobbamock,  was  privately  dispatched  to  visit  Pokan- 
oket,  to  ascertain  the  true  state  of  affairs  in  that 
quarter. 

On  arriving  there,  she  perceived  that  all  was  quiet, 
and  having  an  interview  with  Massassoit,  informed 
him  of  the  occurrences  at  Plymouth.  He  was  much 
offended  at  the  conduct  of  Tisquantum,  highly  grati- 
fied at  the  favorable  opinion  entertained  of  him  by 
the  government  of  Plymouth,  tendering  the  assurance 
that  according  to  their  first  articles  of  peace,  he  would 
inform  them,  whenever  danger  was  at  hand. 

This  whole  affair  may  justly  be  considered  a  scheme 
of  Tisquantum,  originating  in  a  vain  desire  of  mani- 
festing his  own  importance,  and  to  promote  his  own 
selfish  purposes.  He  probably  did  not  foresee  the 
consequences  which  might  naturally  have  been  ex- 
pected to  result  from  the  false  alarm  which  he  had 
occasioned. 

He  had  previously  proved  highly  useful  to  the 
colony,  and  after  a  sharp  reproof  administered  by  the 
9* 


102  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,   AND 


governor,  it  was  concluded  to  retain  him,  his  services 
being  regarded  as  of  indispensable  importance,  both 
as  an  interpreter  and  guide. 

In  the  month  of  April,  the  suspended  voyage  to 
Massachusets  was  undertaken,  and  successfully 
accomplished,  having  resulted  in  much  profitable 
trade. 

Upon  the  return  of  this  expedition,  Massassoit  was 
found  waiting  at  Plymouth,  having  been  justly 
incensed  by  the  deception  of  Tisquantum,  but  was 
pacified  for  the  present. 

Soon  after  his  departure  however,  he  sent  a  mes- 
senger, earnestly  requesting  that  Tisquantum  might 
be  delivered  up  to  receive  the  punishment  of  death. 
The  messenger  departed,  and  soon  after  another 
embassy  arrived,  demanding  him  for  Massassoit,  as 
one  of  his  subjects,  whom  by  the  articles  of  peace, 
he  had  a  right  to  claim.  They  had  brought  the  knife 
of  Massassoit  with  them,  having  received  orders  to 
cut  off*  the  head  and  hands  of  Tisquantum,  and  re- 
turn with  them  to  Pokanoket.  At  the  moment 
when  Gov.  Bradford  was  about  to  deliver  Tisquantum 
into  the  hands  of  his  executioners,  a  boat  was  discov- 
ered in  the  bay  near  Manomet,  which  afforded  a 
pretence  for  a  postponement  of  the  matter  for  the 
present,  and  the  Indian  messengers  hastily  departed, 
indignant  at  their  disappointment,  while  Tisquantum 
whose  chance  of  safety  had  become  so  desperate, 
tuus  fortunately  escaped  with  his  life. 

About  the  end  of  May  1822,  their  provisions  were 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  103 

wholly  spent,  though  they  had  for  a  long  time  been 
living  on  a  short  and  bare  allowance,  occasioned  by 
the  increased  number  of  emigrants  who  had  arrived 
in  the  Fortune.  At  this  time  a  boat  was  discovered 
approaching  the  highland  of  Manomet,  which  proved 
to  be  a  shallop,  which  belonged  to  a  fishing  ship 
called  the  Sparow,  fitted  out  by  Thomas  Weston, 
merchant  of  London,  having  six  or  seven  passengers, 
who  should  have  been  before  landed  at  Plymouth. 
At  this  time  about  thirty  vessels  were  employed  in 
the  fisheries  at  the  eastward,  and  Edward  Winslow 
visited  that  region,  with  a  view  to  procure  provisions. 
He  met  with  the  most  friendly  and  cordial  reception, 
but  could  obtain  only  moderate  supplies,  on  account 
of  their  own  limited  stock,  furnished  however  freely 
and  without  payment ;  which  though  of  small  amount, 
among  so  many  as  were  depending  on  it  at  the  plan- 
tation, was  of  essential  aid  till  the  crops  of  the  ensu- 
ing autumn  were  gathered.  On  the  return  of  Mr. 
Winslow  from  the  eastward,  he  found  the  colony  in  a 
much  weaker  condition  than  at  his  departure,  and 
the  prospects  of  the  Colony  wore  an  alarming  aspect. 
The  Indians  observing  their  destitute  condition, 
rejoiced  in  their  distress,  and  often  intimated,  how 
easily  their  extermination  might  be  affected.  Even 
Massassoit,  their  old  friend,  '  seemed  now  to  frown 
on  them,'  and  discontinued  his  accustomed  visits. 

These  considerations  led  to  the  erection  of  a  fort 
on  the  hill,  which  had  been  previously  enclosed 
within  their  empalement,  from  which  a  small  number 


1Q4  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

might  defend  the  town  in  ease  of  assault  from  the 
Indians.  This  work  was  commenced  with  spirit, 
prosecuted  with  great  energy,  and  speedily  accom- 
plished, though  not  without  great  inconvenience  to 
their  other  pursuits. 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  105 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Arrival  of  Weston's  Colony  in  the   Charity  and  Swan, 
1 622  —  Their  stay  in  Plymouth,  and  conduct  there 

—  Their  removal  to  Wessaguscus —  Gov.  Bradford 
and   Standish  visit  Cape    Cod  for  supplies  of  com 

—  Sickness  of  Massassoit  —  Conspiracy  of  the  In- 
dians — Standish 's  departure  to  Wessaguscus  —  Dis- 
solution of  Weston's  Colony. 

The  arrival  of  two  ships  from  London,  namely,  the 
Chanty  and  the  Swan,  having  on  board  about  sixty 
passengers,  marks  an  interesting  point  in  the  early 
annals  of  the  Colony,  and  was  succeeded  by  events 
of  great  importance,  intimately  connected  with  its 
very  existence.  These  vessels  were  owned  and 
equipped  by  Thomas  Weston  of  London,  with  a  view 
to  the  settlement  of  a  colony  distinct  from  that  of 
Plymouth,  and  the  passengers  on  landing  were  re- 
ceived by  the  planters  in  the  most  friendly  manner, 
notwithstanding  their  own  destitute  condition.  The 
early  zeal  of  Mr.  Weston  by  whom  the  transportation 
of  the  Pilgrims  in  1620,  was  greatly  facilitated,  had 
inspired  them  with  gratitude,  and  a  consequent  dis- 
position to  render  the  temporary  residence  of  his  men 
among  them,  as  favorable  as  their  limited  resources 
would  allow;  but  these  efforts  were  by  no  means 


106  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

received  with  a  corresponding  spirit  on  the  part  of 
men,  whose  reckless  character,  possessed  no  elements 
adapting  them  to  become  the  founders  of  a  colony. 
On  the  contrary,  they  soon  betrayed  a  manifest  de- 
ficiency of  those  virtues  without  which  society  and 
government  become  a  curse,  instead  of  a  blessing. 
The  scanty  store  of  corn,  saved  from  the  compulsory 
abstinence  of  the  colonists,  previous  to  the  arrival  of 
the  ships,  was  carelessly  wasted,  and  even  the  grow- 
ing fields  of  corn  were  invaded  and  robbed,  to  an 
extent,  endangering  the  anticipated  crop  of  autumn, 
while  injurious  slanders  were  uttered,  implicating  the 
character  of  those,  whose  hospitality  supplied  their 
wants,  at  the  cost  of  restricting  their  own. 

This  conduct  appears  to  have  been  patiently  en- 
dured, and  charitably  excused  by  the  planters  of 
Plymouth,  and  would  probably  never  have  come  into 
remembrance,  had  a  sense  of  justice  and  decorum, 
manifested  in  their  subsequent  deportment,  given 
any  evidence  of  a  permanent  improvement  in  their 
morals. 

Those  who  had  undertaken  to  explore  the  country 
at  last  returned,  having  visited  a  place  called  by  the 
Indians  Wessaguscus,*  (now  Weymouth,)  and  deem- 
ing it  a  fit  place  of  settlement,  the  whole  colony  em- 

*  A  correspondent  of  Quincy  thus  describes  the  place.  c  It  i.s 
about  three  miles  south  east  of  the  granite  Church  in  Quincy,  at  a 
place  locally  called  Old  Spain.  "Weston's  colony  sailed  up  Fore 
river,  which  seperates  Quincy  from  Weymouth,  and  then  entered, 
Phillips  Creek,  and  commenced  operations  on  its  north  baak.' 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  107 

barked,  leaving  only  the  sick  and  lame,  who  under  the 
charge  of  Samuel  Fuller,  the  surgeon  of  Plymouth, 
soon  afterwards  recovered  and  rejoined  them. 

A  short  time  only  had  elapsed  after  their  arrival  at 
Wessaguscus,  before  the  Indians  in  that  quarter, 
uttered  loud  complaints  respecting  their  newly  arrived 
neighbors,  and  the  colony  at  Plymouth,  while  they 
reprobated  a  conduct  marked  by  gross  injustice  to 
the  Indians,  and  in  striking  contrast  to  that  of  their 
own,  were  justly  alarmed,  lest  it  might  reflect  dis- 
credit on  themselves,  and  expose  both  colonies  to  the 
indiscriminate  indignation  of  their  Indian  neighbors, 
and  endanger  the  good  understanding  previously 
existing  among  them. 

In  the  beginning  of  October,  the  larger  vessel 
belonging  to  Mr.  Weston,  sailed  for  London.  A  good 
supply  of  provisions  was  left  for  the  colony,  and  the 
smaller  vessel  called  the  Swan,  remained  for  purposes 
of  trade  and  fishing.  At  the  solicitation  of  the  colony 
at  Wessaguscus,  a  mutual  arrangement  was  made  for 
trade  with  the  natives,  principally  designed  to  procure 
supplies  of  corn;  and  Captain  Standish  twice  em- 
barked for  this  purpose,  but  was  driven  back  by 
storms,  and  was  afterwards  prevented  by  sickness 
from  pursuing  the  voyage. 

Under  these  circumstances,  Gov.  Bradford,  per- 
ceiving the  necessity  of  supplies  for  the  colonies,  and 
the  danger  of  an  insufficient  crop,  owing  to  the  pre- 
vious diversion  of  labor  from  agricultural  pursuits,  to 
the  preparations  required  for  security  against  appre 


108  GUIDE    TO   PLYMOUTH,    AND 

hended  hostilities  from  the  Indians,  voluntarily 
assumed  the  place  of  Capt.  Standish,  and  successfully 
accomplished  the  object  in  view. 

In  the  month  of  Nov.  he  visited  Monamoycke, 
(Chatham,)  on  the  south  side  of  Cape  Cod,  and 
though  the  natives  were  at  first  reserved,  in  their  in- 
tercourse, the  friendly  offices  of  Tisquantum  soon  in- 
duced a  better  feeling,  and  8  hogsheads  of  corn 
were  obtained  in  exchange  for  other  articles.  Here 
a  heavy  loss  was  sustained  in  the  death  of  Tisquan- 
tum, who  was  suddenly  seized  with  violent  sickness, 
and  died  in  a  short  time  after.  The  loss  of  this 
invaluable  guide  and  interpreter,  rendered  it  neces- 
sary to  return  to  Wessaguscus,  where  the  governor 
found  many  complaints  renewed  against  the  conduct 
of  Weston's  colony. 

The  next  excursion  of  the  governor  was  to  Nauset, 
and  Mattachiest,  at  both  of  which  places  he  was 
received  with  every  token  of  friendly  regard,  procured 
a  considerable  stock  of  corn,  which  was  left  in  charge 
of  the  Indians,  and  concluded  thence  to  return  by 
land  to  Plymouth,  a  distance  of  50  miles,  having 
Hobbamock  for  his  guide. 

Eanacum,  the  Sachem  of  Manomet,  at  which  place 
he  stopped  on  his  way  home,  entertained  the  gover- 
nor with  great  hospitality,  and  furnished  him  with  corn, 
which  was  left  there  till  such  time  as  it  could  be  con- 
veniently removed.  The  governor  then  returned  to 
Plymouth,  having  gained  much  information  of  the 
natives,  and  procured  supplies  of  great  importance  to 
the  colony. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  109 

In  the  month  of  Jan.  1623,  Captain  Standish,  having 
recovered  his  health,  proceeded  to  Nauset,  recovered 
the  shallop  which  had  been  formerly  stranded  there, 
found  the  corn  which  had  been  left  was  safe,  loaded 
the  same  on  board  the  Swan,  and  dividing  it  with 
Weston's  men,  returned  to  Plymouth. 

In  the  month  of  March,  he  engaged  in  another  ex- 
pedition to  Barnstable  and  Manomet.  While  at  the 
latter  place,  his  life  was  endangered  by  several  Indi- 
ans who  had  resorted  there,  among  whom  was  Wit- 
uwamet,  a  noted  warrior  of  the  Massachusets,  who 
addressed  the  sachem  Canacum  in  a  manner  indi- 
cating his  hostility  to  the  English,  at  which  time 
concurring  circumstances  leave  but  little  doubt,  that 
the  project  of  exterminating  both  colonies,  was  in 
progress,  which  was  afterwards  more  fully  shown  by 
the  disclosures  of  Massassoit. 

While  Capt.  Standish  was  at  Manomet,  informa- 
tion was  received  at  Plymouth,  that  Massassoit,  the 
early  and  valued  friend  of  the  Pilgrims,  was  danger- 
ously sick,  and  that  a  Dutch  ship  was  on  shore  near 
his  dwelling. 

Edward  Winslowwas  appointed  to  visit  the  Sachem 
on  this  occasion,  and  in  company  with  John  Hamp- 
den, a  gentleman  of  London,  who  was  spending  the 
winter  at  Plymouth*  having  Hobbamock  for  a  guide. 

*  It  was  for  a  long  time  conjectured  by  historians,  that  this  individ- 
ual was  the  celebrated  English  patriot.  Dr.  Young  in  his  Chronicles 
of  the  pilgrims,  page  314,  has  satisfactorily  shown  that  this  conjecture 
is  without  any  just  foundation. 

10 


110  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

On  arriving  at  Sowams,  the  seat  of  Massassoit,  they 
found  him  surrounded  by  a  large  number  of  his  people, 
and  the  press  was  so  great  as  to  render  it  difficult  to 
approach  his  bed.  '  There  were  they  in  the  midst  of 
their  charms,  making  such  a  hellish  noise,  as  it  dis- 
tempered them  that  were  well,  and  therefore  unlike 
to  ease  him  that  was  sick.'  When  their  charming 
had  ceased,  he  was  informed  that  his  friends  the 
English,  had  come  to  see  him.  His  understanding 
was  perfect,  but  his  sight  was  gone.  He  desired  to 
speak  with  Winslow,  and  said,  'Art  thou  Winslow!' 
and  exclaimed,  '  O,  Winslow,  I  shall  never  see  thee 
again.' 

The  applications  of  Winslow,  were  happily  suc- 
cessful, soon  restored  Massassoit  to  health,  and  no 
event  could  well  be  conceived  more  favorable  to  the 
colony.  It  excited  sentiments  of  the  most  ardent 
gratitude  in  the  mind  of  this  excellent  chief,  which 
led  him  to  a  full  disclosure  of  the  conspiracy  then  in 
progress  to  exterminate  both  the  colonies  of  Plymouth 
and  of  Wessaguscus.  This  disclosure  was  made 
privately  to  Hobbamock,  and  by  him  communicated 
to  Winslow  on  their  return  to  Plymouth.  The  entire 
narrative  of  this  visit  to  Massassoit,  written  by  Win- 
slow  himself,  is  highly  interesting,  and  indicates  his 
true  character.  His  humanity  towards  the  Indians, 
upon  all  occasions,  secured  the  confidence  of  Mass- 
assoit, and  was  probably  the  means  of  saving  the 
colony  of  Plymouth  from  utter  extermination. 

The  disclosures  of  Massassoit,  in  conjunction  with 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  Ill 

other  circumstances  observable  among  the  neighbor- 
ing tribes,  rendered  it  no  longer  doubtful  that  a  pro- 
ject was  entertained  of  destroying  the  English, 
whenever  a  favorable  moment  should  occur  for  its 
execution.  Long  before  the  visit  to  Massassoit, 
complaints  were  continually  made,  by  the  Indians  at 
Wessaguscus,  and  by  some  of  the  best  standing 
among  the  colonists  themselves,  not  only  of  the  mean 
and  disgraceful  conduct  pursued  towards  the  natives, 
but  of  the  abject  condition  to  which  a  licentious  and 
indolent  course  had  reduced  them.  A  tolerable  share 
of  industry  would  have  sufficed  to  render  their  con- 
dition comfortable ;  but  this  was  wanting,  and  con- 
sequent want  assailed  them,  leading  to  a  contempt 
for  the  rights  of  others,  manifested  in  acts  of  theft, 
and  that  general  disregard  of  moral  and  religious 
principle,  without  which,  society  becomes  a  loose, 
disjointed  fabric,  destined  to  speedy  destruction. 

This  course  of  conduct  produced  its  legitimate 
consequences,  and  at  the  end  of  February  1623,  their 
bread  and  corn  were  exhausted  without  any  reserva- 
tion of  seed  for  planting  in  the  succeeding  spring, 
and  such  were  the  feelings  of  indignation  existing 
against  them  among  the  neighboring  Indians,  that 
nothing  could  be  obtained  in  that  quarter.  This  state 
of  affairs  at  one  time  led  to  the  desperate  resolution 
of  seizing  whatever  could  be  found,  in  total  disregard 
of  the  rights  of  ownership.  This  resolution  however, 
was  overruled  by  advice  of  the  better  disposed 
amongst  them,  and  recourse  was  had  to  Plymouth 


112  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

for  counsel  in  this  hour  of  difficulty.  The  reply  of 
Plymouth  was  decisive  and  wholly  discountenanced 
the  course  of  violence  proposed  to  be  adopted  in 
relation  to  the  seizure  of  provisions,  belonging  to  the 
Indians.  The  inhabitants  of  Plymouth  were  them- 
selves at  this  time  scantily  supplied  with  corn,  and 
compelled  to  live  on  ground-nuts,  clams,  and  other 
natural  products  within  their  reach,  and  they  advised 
their  neighbors  to  rely  on  the  same  resources,  rather 
than  violate  the  laws  of  God  and  nature,  in  the  manner 
proposed  —  at  the  same  time  warning  them  to  desist 
from  proceedings  which  would  inevitably  produce  a 
feeling  of  dangerous  hostility  against  both  themselves 
and  others. 

They  were  further  advised  to  consider  their  own 
weak  condition,  and  the  danger  of  failure  in  their 
defence  against  the  combined  power  of  the  Natives, 
and  that  no  aid  would  be  afforded  by  Plymouth 
colony,  in  such  an  unlawful  undertaking. 

This  remonstrance  was  promptly  forwarded  to 
Wessaguscus,  and  induced  a  suspension  of  the  vio- 
lent measures  proposed,  and  John  Saunders,  their 
leader,  embarked  about  the  end  of  February,  to  the 
eastward  in  quest  of  supplies,  without  any  knowledge 
of  the  dangerous  conspiracy  then  in  agitation. 

The  twenty-third  of  March,  1623,  was  the  annual 
Court  day,  and  upon  this  occasion,  the  governor, 
having  abundant  evidence  of  the  purposed  attack 
upon  the  colonies,  submitted  the  subject  for  consid- 
eration to  the  whole  company,  urging  the  importance 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  113 

of  a  prompt  decision  upon  a  question  involving  the 
existence  of  the  colony. 

The  decision  of  this  question  was  a  source  of  great 
anxiety.  The  course  of  the  pilgrims  towards  the 
natives  from  the  first  moment  of  their  landing,  had 
been  governed  by  a  just  regard  to  their  rights,  and 
an  earnest  endeavor  to  procure  their  favor,  by  a 
strict  observance  of  justice  and  equity,  which  had 
happily  been  instrumental  in  establishing  relations 
of  peace,  now  threatened  with  interruption,  from 
causes  which  they  had  vainly  sought  to  remove  or  to 
counteract.  Nor  could  they  disguise  the  fact,  that 
their  neighbors  at  Wessaguscus  had  given  just 
occasion  for  the  indignation  of  the  Indians,  now  evi- 
dently arrived  at  a  point  of  excitement,  beyond  the 
power  of  control,  except  by  means  of  the  most  decided 
character,  which  however  reluctantly  adopted,  were 
under  the  circumstances  then  existing,  deemed  indis- 
pensable to  their  preservation. 

Capt.  Standish,  whose  intrepid  conduct  had  so  often 
on  previous  occasions,  rescued  the  colony  from  im- 
pending danger,  was  authorised  to  visit  Wessaguscus 
with  eight  individuals  selected  for  the  enterprise. 
The  day  before  he  left  Plymouth,  one  of  Mr.  Wes- 
ton's colony  arrived  by  land,  and  represented  the 
weak  condition  of  the  people  there,  the  increasing 
boldness  of  the  Indians,  and  that  although  one  man 
had  been  hanged,  for  stealing  their  corn,  this  act 
was  insufficient  to  satisfy  them,  and  that  in  general 
the  colony  was  dispersed  in  various  directions  seek- 
10* 


114  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

ing  a  bare  subsistence  at  the  mercy  of  chance,  and 
were  not  only  destitute  of  decent  clothing,  but  in 
absolute  danger  of  starvation. 

The  person  who  had  fled  from  Wessaguscus  to 
Plymouth,  was  soon  missed,  and  an  Indian  followed 
him  in  pursuit,  but  having  taken  a  wrong  path,  his 
intended  victim  fortunately  escaped  his  vengeance. 

The  report  received  concerning  the  state  of  affairs 
at  "Wessaguscus,  hastened  the  departure  of  Standish, 
and  a  favorable  breeze,  soon  wafted  him  to  the  place 
of  destination.  He  first  proceeded  to  the  ship,  but 
found  no  one  there.  On  firing  his  musket,  the  master 
of  the  plantation  and  others,  appeared,  and  were 
asked  how  they  ventured  to  live  in  such  apparent 
security.  He  intimated  the  danger  to  which  they 
were  exposed,  and  the  object  of  his  visit.  He  further 
offered  them  an  asylum  at  Plymouth,  if  they  chose 
to  go  there,  till  they  could  find  some  other  situation. 

Large  numbers  of  the  Indians  daily  resorted  to  the 
plantation,  and  sharpened  their  knives  in  his  presence, 
and  used  various  other  insulting  gestures  and  words. 
Among  the  rest  Wituwamat  bragged  of  the  excel- 
lence of  his  knife.  On  the  end  of  the  handle  there 
was  pictured  a  woman's  face,  '  but,'  said  he,  '  I  have 
another  at  home  wherewith  I  have  killed  both  French 
and  English,  and  that  hath  a  man's  face  on  it,  and  by 
and  by  these  two  must  marry.'  He  further  said,  '  by 
and  by  it  should  eat  but  not  speak.'  Also  Pecksuot, 
being  a  man  of  greater  statue  than  the  captain,  told 
him  '  though  he  was  a  great  captain,  yet  he  was  but 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  115 

a  little  man ; '  and  said  he,  ■  though  I  be  no  Sachem, 
yet  I  am  a  man  of  great  strength  and  courage.'  These 
indications  of  hostility,  Standish  patiently  bore  for 
the  present.  The  day  after,  when  Wittuwamet  and 
Pecksuot  and  two  others  were  in  a  room  together, 
with  about  the  same  number  of  his  own  men,  Stan- 
dish  ordered  the  door  shut,  and  then  seizing  the  knife 
suspended  from  the  neck  of  Pecksuot,  killed  him 
with  the  same.  Wittuwamet  was  killed  by  the 
others  present,  and  his  brother  was  taken  and  after- 
wards hanged.  The  death  of  these  prominent  ring- 
leaders, was  speedily  followed  by  a  general  flight  of 
their  followers,  and  Standish  after  seeing  to  the 
embarcation  of  that  part  of  the  colony  of  Weston  that 
preferred  going  to  Monhegan,  and  taking  the  rest  in 
his  shallop,  safely  arrived  at.  Plymouth. 

Thus  ended  the  colony  of  Weston,  within  a  year 
from  its  first  commencement.  It  affords  a  striking 
example  of  a  presumptuous  disregard  of  those  moral 
and  religious  principles,  which  form  the  only  substan- 
tial basis  of  social  institutions.  It  wTas  doubtless 
undertaken  solely  with  a  view  to  profit,  and  by  a 
disappointed  merchant  adventurer,  whose  eagerness 
of  speculation  could  not  easily  be  satisfied,  or  suffi- 
ciently moderated,  to  await  the  result  of  his  invest- 
ments in  the  colony  of  Plymouth. 

The  result  of  this  '  capital  exploit '  of  Standish,  as 
it  is  called  by  Dr.  Belknap,  was  soon  followed  by  the 
submission  and  in  some  instances  the  dispersion  of 
the  prominent  natives  who  had  engaged  with  the 


116  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

tribes  of  Massachusets  in  the  conspiracy,  and  pro- 
duced a  lasting  impression  on  their  rninds,  highly 
favorable  to  the  colony  of  Plymouth,  in  all  its  relations, 
and  was  the  principal  cause  of  establishing  a  long 
continued  peace. 

The  memory  of  Standish  has  sometimes  been  in- 
considerately reproached  for  undue  severity  in  the 
execution  of  his  duty  on  the  occasion  above  narrated. 
This  appears  unjust  in  the  extreme,  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  he  acted  under  authority,  derived  from  the 
colony  of  Plymouth  itself,  and  therefore  should  not  be 
singled  out  as  deserving  of  special  condemnation. 
Whatever  regret  may  be  felt  at  the  occurrence  of  so 
tragical  a  result  as  the  loss  of  a  few  lives,  the  circum- 
stances existing  at  the  time,  and  the  concurrent  testi- 
mony from  various  quarters,  of  a  general  movement 
against  the  colony,  authorized  the  adoption  of  strong 
counteracting  measures,  and  history  rarely  affords  a 
parallel  instance,  in  which  so  important  an  end  was 
secured,  by  so  small  a  sacrifice  of  life. 

Having  thus  presented  a  brief  history  of  the  pil- 
grims during  their  earlier  struggles,  when  their 
numbers  were  few,  their  resources  slender,  and  their 
dangers  imminent,  the  limits  assigned  to  this  work, 
forbid  more  than  some  general  abstract  of  prominent 
events  occurring  in  the  colony  till  its  union  with 
Massachusetts.  If  the  reader  should  conceive  that 
we  have  dwelt  too  long  and  too  minutely  on  the 
transactions  of  a  few  years,  and  the  record  of  events 
which  seem  insignificant  in   comparison  with  the 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  117 

splendid  achievements  that  mark  the  annals  of  soci- 
ety, in  its  more  advanced  stages,  he  is  desired  to 
consider  that  true  heroism  is  not  determined  by  the 
sphere  of  its  action  alone,  and  that  men  who  braved 
the  ocean,  settled  on  the  borders  of  an  unexplored 
wilderness,  inhabited  only  by  a  savage  race,  who 
bore  the  pressure  of  want  without  a  murmur,  and  the 
uplifted  tomahawk  without  blenching,  and  finally 
established  the  firm  foothold  of  liberty,  have  acquired 
claims  to  our  regard,  which  render  every  movement 
of  their  eventful  life,  a  worthy  subject  of  considera- 
tion. 

#  '  Now  the  peculiarity  which  has  seemed  to  me 
to  distinguish  these  trials  of  the  Pilgrim  age,  from 
those,  from  the  chief  of  which  the  general  voice  of 
literature  has  concurred  to  glorify,  as  the  trials  of 
heroism;  the  peculiarity  which  gives  to  these  and 
such  as  these,  the  attributes  of  a  truer  heroism,  is 
this  :  that  they  had  to  meet  them  on  what  was  then 
a  humble,  obscure,  and  distant  stage,  with  no  numer- 
ous audience  to  look  on  and  applaud,  and  cast  its 
wreaths  on  the  fainting  brow  of  him,  whose  life  was 
rushing  with  his  blood ;  and  unsustained  by  one  single 
one  of  those  sterner,  and  more  stimulating  impulses, 
and  aims,  and  sentiments,  which  carry  a  soldier  to 
his  grave  of  honor  as  to  the  bridal  bed.  Where  were 
the  pilgrims  while  in  this  furnace  of  affliction  ?  And 
who  saw  and  took  thought  for  them  ?     They  were 

*  Choate's  Address  at  New  York,  Dec.  22, 1&44. 


118  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

alone  on  the  earth !  Directly  and  solely,  ■  in  their 
great  task  maker's  eye.'  If  every  one  of  them  had 
died  the  first  winter  of  long  fever,  or  been  starved  to 
death  or  crushed  by  the  towahawk,  who  was  to  mourn 
for  them?  A  few  hearts  in  Leyden  would  have 
broken,  and  that  had  been  all.  Unlike  the  martyr, 
even,  around  whose  ascended  chariot  wheels  and 
horses  of  fire,  a  congregation  might  come  to  sympa- 
thize and  be  exalted,  blasphemers  to  be  deified  and 
struck  with  unwonted,  admiration,  they  were  alone 
on  the  earth.  Primeval  forests,  a  winter's  sea,  a 
winter's  sky,  circled  them  about,  and  excluded  every 
sympathizing  human  eye.  To  play  the  part  of  he- 
roism on  its  high  places  and  its  theatre,  is  not  perhaps, 
so  very  difficult.  To  do  it  alone  as  seeing  him  who 
is  invisible,  was  the  stupenduous  trial  of  the  Pilgrim 
Heroism/ 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  119 


CHAPTER  X. 

An  abstract  of  important  events  and  circumstances  con- 
nected with  the  Pilgrims  from  1623  to  the  Union 
of  the  Old  Colony  and  Massachusetts  in  1692. 

April  1623.  The  spring  opened  and  found  the  Col- 
onists, exhausted  by  the  labor  of  procuring  the  means 
of  subsistence  and  in  suppressing  Indian  hostilities. 
They  had  no  corn  excepting  that  reserved  for  seed ; 
and  therefore  devoted  their  whole  attention  to  plant- 
ing. To  insure  greater  individual  efforts  the  Gov- 
ernor allotted  one  acre  of  land  to  each  person  in  the 
colony.  Previous  to  this  time  the  colony  had  strictly 
adhered  to  the  arrangement  made  with  the  merchant 
adventurers  in  London  —  by  which  the  labor  of  indi- 
viduals was  thrown  into  a  common  stock,  '  We  ar- 
range all  the  youth  under  some  family,  plant  for  their 
own  particular  benefit,  and  trust  to  themselves  for 
food,  —  but  at  harvest  bring  in  a  competent  portion 
for  the  maintainance  of  public  officers,  fisherman,  &c. 
and  in  all  other  things  go  on  in  the  general  way  as  be- 
fore. For  this  end  assign  every  family  a  parcel  of 
land  in  proportion  to  their  number,  though  make  no  di- 
vision for  inheritance,  which  has  very  good  success, 


120  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

makes  all  industrious,  gives  content/  Bradford  in 
Prince,  133. 

1  We  begin  to  set  our  coru,  the  setting  season  be- 
ing good  till  the  latter  end  of  May,  but  by  the  time 
our  corn  is  planted,  our  victuals  are  spent :  not  know- 
ing at  night  where  to  have  a  bit  in  the  morning,  and 
have  neither  bread  nor  corn  for  three  or  four  months 
together  :  yet  bear  our  wants  with  cheerfulness  and 
rest  on  Providence.'     Prince,  135. 

July.  Notwithstanding  the  great  efforts  made,  and 
the  strong  hopes  cherished  of  an  abundant  crop,  the 
prospect  of  a  famine  now  threatened  them  by  reason 
of  a  severe  drought  and  extreme  heat  from  the  third 
week  in  May  to  the  middle  of  July,  which  withered 
the  corn,  and  almost  destroyed  vegetation.  They  learnt 
at  this  time  also  the  failure  of  expected  supplies  from 
England.  The  most  courageous  were  now  discour- 
aged ;  and  the  Government  set  apart,  '  a  day  of  hu- 
miliation and  prayer,  to  seek  the  Lord  in  this  dis- 
tress, who  was  pleased  to  give  speedy  answer  to  our 
own  and  the  Indian's  admiration ;  for  though  in  the  for- 
mer part  of  the  day  it  was  very  clear  and  hot,  with- 
out a  sign  of  rain,  yet  towards  the  evening,  before  the 
exercise  was  over,  the  clouds  gathered  and  next  morn- 
ing distilled  such  soft  and  gentle  showers  as  gave 
cause  of  joy  and  praise  to  God.'  This  was  the  origin  of 
the  public  fast  of  New  England.  The  rain  fell  gently 
and  lasted  fourteen  days,  producing  a  total  change 
in  the  face  of  nature,  and  a  not  less  striking  change 
in  the  hearts  and  prospects  of  the  drooping  colonists. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  121 

About  the  last  of  this  month  the  Ann,  Mr.  Wm. 
Pierce,  and  soon  after  the  Little  James,  Bridges  Mas- 
ters, arrived,  with  about  sixty  passengers  for  the  col- 
ony. !  When  these  passengers  see  our  low  condition 
ashore,  they  are  much  dismayed  and  full  of  sadness  ; 
only  our  old  friends  rejoice  to  see  us,  and  that  it  is  no 
worse,  and  now  hope  we  shall  enjoy  better  days  to- 
gether. The  best  dish  we  could  present  them  with, 
is  a  lobster,  or  piece  of  fish,  without  bread,  or  any 
thing  else  but  a  cup  of  fair  spring  water ;  and  the  long 
continuance  of  this  diet,  with  our  labors  abroad,  has 
somewhat  abated  the  freshness  of  our  complexion, 
but  God  gives  us  health.'     Prince,  p.  140. 

September  10.  The  pinnace  sailed  to  the  southward 
of  Cape  Cod,  on  a  voyage  of  discovery  and  to  trade 
with  the  Narragansetts.  The  ship  Ann  was  hired  for 
the  company  and  sailed  for  England  with  Mr.  Edward 
Winslow  as  passenger,  and  was  freighted  with  beaver 
and  clap-boards. 

November  5.  A  fire  broke  out  in  a  dwelling  house, 
occasioned  by  some  disorderly  seamen,  by  which  it 
was  consumed  and  three  or  four  others  —  and  goods 
and  provisions  amounting  to  500  pounds. 

1824.  The  time  of  electing  officers  for  this  year 
having  arrived,  Governor  Bradford  requested  the  peo- 
ple to  change  the  persons  and  to  add  more  assistants 
to  the  Governor  for  aid  and  advice,  observing  that  if 
it  were  a  benefit  or  honor,  'tis  fit  others  should  be  par- 
takers; or  if  a  burthen,  'tis  but  equal  others  should 
help  to  bear  it,  and  that  this  was  the  end  of  yearly 
11 


122  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

elections,  but  whereas  there  was  but  one  assistant, 
they  now  choose  five,  and  give  the  Governor  a  double 
voice. 

March.  Mr.  Edward  Winslow,  agent  for  the  col- 
ony, returned  from  England  in  the  Charity  with  a 
good  supply  of  clothing,  and  cattle,  consisting  of 
one  bull  and  three  heifers. 

Mr.  John  Lyford,  a  minister,  also  came  with  Mr. 
Winslow,  and  at  first  promised  to  become  a  valuable 
acquisition  to  the  colony.;  but  afterwards  proved  fac- 
tions and  assuming  —  and  endeavored  to  seduce  the 
people  from  their  duty  to  the  church  and  government 
established  in  Plymouth.  He  soon  joined  with  Mr. 
John  Oldham,  supposed  to  be  a  private  instrument  of 
the  disaffected  merchant  adventurers  in  England. 
Gov.  Bradford  obtained  a  knowledge  of  their  plans, 
summoned  them  before  the  whole  Court,  presented 
the  evidence  of  their  injurious  intentions,  and  they 
were  expelled  the  colony. 

DIVISION  OF  LAND. 

The  following  transcript  is  from  the  first  page  of  the 
first  book  of  Plymouth  Colony  Records,  and  is  no 
doubt  a  part  of  the  allotment  made  Jan.  9,  1620  —  1, 
mentioned  in  page  64  of  this  book.  It  is  incomplete, 
and  the  other  part  is  illegible.  By  the  Street  is  prob- 
ably meant  Leyden  Street,  leading  from  Town  Square 
to  the  water.  The  high  way  led  to  the  town  spring, 
and  is  now  Market  Street. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


123 


The  Meersteacls  and  Garden  plotes  of  those  which 


came  first,  layed  out  1620 
The  North  side. 


South  side. 
Peter  Brown. 
John  Goodman, 
Mr.  Brewster. 


Hige  way. 


1 

John  Billiugton, 

Mr.  Isaak  Allerton, 

Francis  Cooke, 

Edward  Winslow. 

'  This  spring  the  people  requesting  the  Governor  to 
have  some  land  for  continuance,  and  not  by  yearly  lot 
as  before,  he  gives  every  person  an  acre  to  them  and 
theirs,  as  near  the  town  as  can  be  ;  and  no  more  till 
the  seven  years,  that  we  may  keep  close  together  for 
greater  defence  and  safety.'     Prince,  p.  147. 

The  first  division  of  lands  temporarily  made  in 
1623,  as  before  mentioned,  was  now  confirmed  in  per- 
petuity. The  lands  thus  divided  lie  on  both  sides  of 
the  Town  Brook,  and  were  mostly  cleared  land,  be- 
ing the  ancient  Indian  corn  land.  The  following  di- 
vision of  lands  is  taken  from  the  Old  Colony  Re- 
cords, vol.  1,  pages  4  to  11  inclusive.  An  exact  tran- 
script from  the  records  has  been  made  with  care,  and 
the  ancient  spelling  has  been  retained.  There  will 
be  found  some  slight  variations  from  the  same  doc- 
ument, as  contained  in  Hazard's  Collections. 


124  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

'  The  falles  of  their  grounds  which  came  first  over 
in  the  May  Floure,  according  as  their  lots  were 
cast,  1623. 

The  number  of  akers  to  each  one. 


*  Robert  Cochman, 

1     Mr.  Isaak  Allerton, 

7 

Mr.  William  Brewster, 

6     John  Billington, 

3 

William  Bradford, 

3     Peter  Browen, 

1 

Richard  Gardener, 

1     Samuel  Fuller, 

2 

Frances  Cooke, 

2  f  Joseph  Rogers, 

2 

George  Soule, 

1 

These  contain  twenty-nine  akers. 
These  lye  on  the  south  side  of  the  brooke,  to  the 

bay -wards. 

These  lye  on  the  south  side  of  the  brooke,  to  the 

woodward,  opposite  to  the  former. 

John  Howland,         4     Edward,  1 

Stephen  Hopkins,    6     Gilbard  Winslow,  1 

$  Edward,  1     Samuel  Fuller,  Juneor,  3 

These  contain  sixteen  akers,  besides  Hobamak's 

ground,  which  lieth  between  Jo.  Rowland's  and  Hop- 

kinses. 

This  five  akers  lyeth  behind  the  fort  to  the  little 

pond. 

William  White,  5 

Edward  Winslow,  4 

*  In  a  note  to  the  N.  E.  Memorial,  p.  376,  Judge  Davis  considers 
that  by  this  name  Robert  Cushman  is  intended. 

t  Rogers  was  probably  a  son  of  Thomas  Rogers,  who  came  in  the 
Mayflower,  and  died  the  first  winter. 

J  The  blanks  to  this  name  should  be  filled  with  Dotey,  or  Doten. 
and  the  next  with  Leister. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  125 

Richard  Warren,  2 

John  Goodman,  ]       [The   figureg   which 

John  Crackstone,  I  were  annexed  tQ  these 

John  Alden,  [  nameg  are  obiiterated.] 

*  Marie  Hilton,  J 

Captin  Miles  Standish,     2 

Francis  Eaton,  4 

Henerie  Samson,  1 

Humilitie  Cooper,  1 

These  lye  on  the  north  side  of  the  towne,  next  ad- 
joining to  their  gardens  which  came  in  the  Fortune. 

The  fales  of  their  grounds  which  came  in  the  for- 
tune, according  as  their  lots  were  cast,  (1623.) 
These  lye  to  the  sea,  eastward. 

William  Hilton,  1 

John  Win  slow,  1 

William  Coner  1     William  Tench, 

John  Adams,  1     John  Cannon, 

These  following  lye  beyonde  the  .  2  .  Brooke. 

Hugh  Statie,  1     Austen  Nicolas,  1 

William  Beale,  )         Widow  Foord,  4 

Thomas  Cushman,        )  ? 
Fifteen  acres.    . 
These  lye  beyond  the  first  brooke,  to  the  wood  west- 
ward. 

William  Wright,        )  James  Steward,  1 

William  Pitt,  j       2     William  Palmer,        2 

*  This  name  has  heretofore  been  copied  wrong,  and  called   Mary 
Hilton.     The  record  is  worn,  but  is  evidently  meant  for  Mary  Chil- 
ton. • 
11* 


126  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Robert  Hickes,  1     Jonathan  Brewster,    1 

Thomas  Prence,  1     Benet  Morgan,  1 

Steven  Dean,  1     Thomas  Flavell      ) 

Moyses  Simonson,        )  2        and  his  son.  ) 

Philipe  de  la  noye,        J         Thomas  Morton,         1 
Edward  Bompass,  1     William  Bassite,         2 

Clement  Brigges,  1 

Nineteen  akers. 
The  fales  of  their  grounds  which  came  over  in  the 
shipe  called  the  Anne,  according  as  their  [lots]  were 
cast,  1623. 

James  Rande,  1  aker. 

These  following  lye  beyond  the  brooke  to  Straw- 
berie  hill. 

Edmond  Flood,       -  -  -  1 

Christopher  Connant,    -  -  1 

Francis  Cooke,        ...  4 

These  butt  against  the  Swampe  and  Reed  Ponde. 
George  Morton,  )  -       8 

Experience  Michell,       ) 
Christian  Penn,  1 

Thomas  Morton,  Junior,  -  -       1 

William  Hilton's  wife  and  two  children,      3 
These  to  the  sea  Eastward. 

Francis  Spragge,  3 

Edward  Burcher,  -  -  -       2 

John  Jenings,  ...  5 

Goodwife  Flavell,  -  -  1 

Manasseh  and  John  Fance,  -  2 

This  goeth  in  with  a  corner  by  the  pond. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  127 

Allice  Bradford,  1 

Robert  Hickes,  his  wife  and  children,  4 

Brigett  Fuller,  1 

Ellen  Newton,  -  -  1 

Pacience  and  Fear  Brewster,      j    _  3 

with  Robert  Long,  ) 

William  Heard,        ...  1 

Ms.  Standish,    -  -  -  1 

These  following  lye  on  the  other  side  of  the  towne 
towards  the  Eele  river. 

Marie  Bucket,  adjoining  to  Joseph  Rogers,  1 

Mr.  Ouldom  and  those  joyned  with  him,  10 

Cudbart  Cudbartsom,  -  -  6 

Anthony  Anable,  4 

Thomas  Tilden,  -  -  -  3 

*  Richard  Warren   -  -  -  5 

Bangs,  -  -  -  4 

Robert  RatlifFe,  beyond  the  Swampe 
and  Stony  grounde, 

These  butt  against  Hobs-hole. 

Nicolas  Snow,  -  -  1 

Anthony  Dixe,         -  -  -  Q 

Mr.  Perce's  2  Servants  -  -  g 

RalfeWalen,  J, 

South  Side. 
Steph.  Tracy,  three  acres  —  3 

Tho.   Clarke,  one  acre 1 

Robt.  Bartlett,  one  acre 1 

*  The  number  of  acres,  against  this  name  is  erroneous  in  Hazard's 
collection,  and  should  be  5  instead  of  6. 


128  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

North  Side. 

Edw.    Holman,   1  acre 1 

Frances,  wife  to 


! 

Joshua  Pratt,         } 2 

Phineas  Pratt,      J 

Plymouth  Colony  Records,  p.  4tto  11. 

ALPHABETICAL  LIST  OF  PASSENGERS 

Who  arrived  at  Plymouth  in  ilie  Mayflower,  180  tons 
burthen.  Dec.  2\st,  1620,  —  the  Fortune  of  55  tons, 
Nov.  9th,  1621  — the  Ann  of  140  tons,  and  the  Lit- 
tle James  of  44  tons,  tlie  last  of  July  or  the  beginning 
of  August,  1623. 

The  letters  attached  to  each  name  indicate  the  ves- 
sel in  which  they  came,  m  for  the  Mayflower  —  f 
for  the  Fortune  —  a  for  the  Ann  and  Little  James. 

NAMES  OF  PASSENGERS.        NAMES  OF  PASSENGERS. 

A  m  Mr.  William  Brewster 

m  Mr.  Isaac  Allerton  m  John  Billington 

m  John  Aid  en  m  Peter  Brown 

m  John  Allerton  u  Richard  Britterige 

f  John  Adams  f  William  Bassite 

a  Anthony  Annable  f  William  Beale 

f  Edward  Bompasse 

B  f  Jonathan  Brewster 

V  Mr.  William  Bradford  f  Clement  Brigges 


RECOLLECTIONS  OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


129 


a  Edward  Bangs 
a  Robert  Bartlett 
a  Fear  Brewster 
a  Patience  Brewster 
a  Mary  Bucket 
a  Edward  Btircher 

C 

m  Mr.  John  Carver 
m  Francis  Cook 
m  James  Chilton 
m  John  Crackston 
m  Richard  Clarke 
f  John  Cannon 
f  William  Coner 
f  Robert  Cushman 
f  Thomas  Cushman 
a  Thomas  Clarke 
a  Cuthbert  Cuthbertson 
a  Chistopher  Conant, 

D 

m  Edward  Dotey 
f  Stephen  Deane 
a  Anthony  Dix 
f  Philip  de  La  Noye 

E 
m  Francis  Eaton 
m  Thomas  English 


m  Mr.  Samuel  Fuller 

m  Edward  Fuller 

m  Moses  Fletcher 

f  Thomas  Flavell  and  son. 

f  Widow  Foord 

a  John  Faunce 

a  Manasseh  Faunce 

a  Good  wife  Flavell 

a  Edmund  Flood 

a  Bridget  Fuller 

G 
m  John  Goodman 
m  Richard  Gardiner 

H 

m  John  Howland 

m  Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins 

f  Robert  Hi  ekes 

f  William  Hilton 

a  Timothy  Hatherly 

a  William  Heard 

a  Margaret  Hickes  and  her 

children 
a  William  Hilton's  wife 

and  children 
a  Edward  Holraan 


130 


GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


a  John  Jen n v 


m  Edward  Leister 
a  Robert  Long. 


M 

m  Mr.  Christopher  Martin 

m  Mr.  William  Mullins 

m  Edmund  Margeson 

f  Benet  Morgan 

f  Thomas  Morton 

a  Experience  Mitchell 

a  George  Morton 

a  Thomas  Morton,  Jr. 

N 
f  Austin  Nicolas 
a  Ellen  Newton 

O 

a  John  Oldham/ 


m  Degory  Priest 
f  William  Palmer 
f  William  Pitt 
f  Thomas  Pre  nee 
a  Frances  Palmer 


a  Mr.  Perce's   two  ser- 
vants 
a  Joshua  Pratt 
a  Christian  Penn 

R 

m  Thomas  Rogers 
m  John  Ridgdale 
a  James  Rand 
a  Robert  Rattline  • 


m   Capt.  Miles  Standish 
m  George  Soule 
f  Moses  Simonson 
f  Hugh  Statie 
f  James  Steward 
a  Nicholas  Snow 
a  Alice  South  worth 
a  Francis  Sprague 
a  Barbary  Standish 


m  Edward  Tilly 
m  John  Tilly 
m  Thomas  Tinker 
M  John  Turner 
a  Thomas  Tilden 
a   Stephen  Tracy 
f  William  Tench 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  131 

W  m  Gilbert  Winslow 

m  Mr.  Edward  Winslow  f  John  Winslow 

m  Mr.  William  White  f  William  Wright 

m  Mr.  Richard  Warren  a  Ralph  Wallen. 
m  Thomas  Williams 

Several  names  contained  in  the  foregoing  list,  are 
differently  spelt  in  modern  times,  namely :  Eassite 
is  now  spelt  Bassett ;  Bompasse,  Bnmpas,  sometimes 
Bump;  Burcher  is  probably  the  same  as  Burchard, 
the  name  of  an  early  settler  in  Connecticut ;  De  La 
Noye,  Delano;  Dotey  is  on  our  records  called  Dote, 
Dotey,  and  now  frequently  written  Doten  ;  Simon- 
son,  sometimes  written  Symons,  is  now  Simmons. 

This  list  is  copied  from  the  allotment  of  lands  in 
1823,  found  in  the  Old  Colony  Records,  Vol.  1,  pages 
4  to  11  inclusive. 

1627.  The  articles  of  agreement  between  the  pil- 
grims and  merchant  adventurers  of  London  have  al- 
ready been  mentioned  on  p.  27.  Soon  after  the 
landing  in  Plymouth  in  1620,  a  spirit  of  impatience 
and  disaffection  was  manifested  by  the  merchant  ad- 
venturers—  no  doubt  occasioned  by  the  disappoint- 
ment of  speedy  returns  for  their  investments  —  a  cir- 
cumstance by  no  means  strange,  at  a  time  when  spec- 
ulation was  so  general,  and  eager  for  gain  —  an  illus- 
tration of  which  spirit  might  readily  be  found  in  the 
experience  of  our  own  country  during  the  years  1836 
and  '37  —  when  innumerable  companies  were  form- 


132 


GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


ed,  from  motives  very  similar  to  those  which  govern- 
ed the  merchant  adventurers  of  London  —  with  this 
difference,  however,  that  with  respect  to  the  latter, 
jealousies  arose  in  relation  to  religious  views  —  and 
that  sectarianism  and  the  love  of  gain  both  combined, 
in  producing  a  discordant  spirit,  highly  injurious  to  the 
pilgrims,  both  as  to  their  worldly  interests  and  spirit- 
ual concerns.  The  feeling  existing  among  the  ad- 
venturers is  clearly  expressed  in  a  letter  of  Mr.  Rob- 
inson to  Elder  Brewster,  dated  Dec.  10,  1623  —  men- 
tioned by  Gov.  Bradford,  and  quoted  by  Prince,  p. 
146,  •  wherein  he  writes  of  the  deferring  of  their 
transportation  through  the  opposition  of  some  of  the 
adventurers ;  five  or  six  being  absolutely  bent  for 
them,  above  all  others  ;  five  or  six  are  their  professed 
adversaries,  the  rest  more  indifferent,  yet  influenced 
by  the  latter,  who  above  all  others  are  unwilling  that 
he  should  be  transported/  &c.  The  opposition  to  the 
removal  of  Robinson  and  that  part  of  the  flock  then 
at  Leyden,  probably  arose  from  the  expense  it  would 
occasion  —  and  perhaps  some  mixture  of  sectarian 
jealousy.  Under  these  circumstances,  it  was  deem- 
ed expedient  by  the  government  of  Plymouth  to 
make  some  compromise  with  the  merchant  adven- 
turers—  and  to  dissolve  the  connection  existing  be- 
tween them  and  the  colony,  which  from  various 
causes  had  become  injurious  to  both  parties,  but 
more  particularly  so  to  the  latter,  in  the  hindrance 
of  its  growth.  This  negotiation  was  entrusted  to  Mr. 
Isaac  Allerton,  through  whose  discretion,  talents  and 


RECOLLECTIONS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  133 

perseverance  it  was  at  last  accomplished.  In  1627 
he  embarked  for  England,  to  ratify  the  bargain  he 
had  made  with  the  merchant  adventurers,  bearing 
date  November  15,  1626,  which  may  be  found  in  the 
Massachusetts  Historical  Collections,  vol.  3,  p.  48,  Jst 
Series, — and  the  names  subscribed  to  the  same  in 
Appendix  A.  of  this  work.  The  price  paid  the  ad- 
venturers was  eighteen  hundred  pounds  sterling,  pay- 
able in  bonds  of  200  pounds  each  at  Michaelmas,  for 
nine  years.  One  object  of  the  pilgrims  in  making 
this  arrangement  was  to  facilitate  the  removal  of  their 
brethren  from  Leyden  with  their  families,  who  were 
unable  to  bear  the  expense  of  transportation.  An- 
other object  was  to  discharge  their  just  engagements 
to  the  adventurers.  Perhaps  no  stronger  temptation 
ever  existed  to  refuse  payment,  than  in  this  case. 
They  had  been  treated  with  contumely  on  the  part  of 
the  adventurers  —  unreasonable  complaints  had  been 
made  —  unjust  slanders  had  been  uttered  against 
them  —  and  they  were  three  thousand  miles  distant. 
It  is  therefore  just  ground  of  rejoicing,  that  the  pil- 
grims, under  the  temptation  of  poverty,  and  in 
the  midst  of  their  varied  trials,  scorned,  under  any 
pretence  or  consideration  whatever,  to  countenance 
the  modern  doctrine  of  repudiation,  which  has  in  later 
times  disgraced  some  portions  of  our  country.  In 
the  Appendix  D.  of  this  book,  there  will  be  found  a 
document  showing  the  losses  of  some  of  the  princi- 
pal men  of  the  colony,  occasioned  by  their  bonds 
given  to  the  adventurers  as  security. 
12 


134  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


DIVISION  OF  CATTLE  AND  FURTHER  DI- 
VISION OF  LANDS. 

After  the  arrangement  with  the  merchant  adven- 
turers —  when  the  colony  was  no  longer  in  any  sense 
dependent  upon  them  — a  division  of  the  cattle  was 
made  as  follows : 

At  a  public  Court,  held  the  22d  of  May,  it  was 
concluded,  by  the  whole  Company,  That  the  Cattle, 
which  were  the  Company's,  to  wit,  the  Cows  and  the 
Goats,  should  be  equally  divided  to  all  the  persons  of 
the  same  Company  ;  and  so  kept,  until  the  expira- 
tion of  ten  years  after  the  date  above  written  ;  and 
that  every  one  should  well  and  sufficiently  provide 
for  his  own  part,  under  penalty  of  forfeiting  the  same. 

That  the  Old  Stock,  with  half  the  increase,  should 
remain  for  common  use,  to  be  divided  at  the  end  of* 
the  said  term  ;  or  otherwise  as  occasion  falleth  out. 
The  other  half  to  be  their  own  forever. 

Upon  which  agreement  they  were  equally  divided 
by  lots,  so  as  the  burthen  of  keeping  the  males  then 
being,  should  be  borne  for  common  use,  by  those  to 
whose  lot  the  best  cows  should  fall.  And  so  the  lots 
fell  as  followeth ;  thirteen  persons  being  apportioned 
to  one  lot. 

1.     The  first  lot  fell  to  Francis  Cooke  and  his  Com- 
pany ;  joined  to  him  his  wife  Hester  Cooke, 
3  John  Cooke,  4  Jacob  Cooke, 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


135 


5  Jane  Cooke,  10  Experience  Michael!, 

6  Hester  Cooke,  11  John  Ffance, 

7  Mary  Cooke,  12  Joshua  Pratt, 

8  Moses  Simonson,      13  Phinihas  Pratt. 

9  Phillip  Delanoy 

To  this  lot  fell  the  least  of  the  four  black  heifers, 
came  in  the  Jacob,  and  two  she  goats. 

2.     The  second  lot  fell  to  Mr.  Isaac  Alierton,  and 
his  company;  joined  to  him  his  wife  Fear  Alierton, 
3  Bartholomew  Alierton,     9  Samuel  Godberson, 
Remember  Alierton, 


Mary  Alierton, 
Sarah  Alierton, 
Godber  Godberson, 
Sarah  Godberson, 


10  Marra  Priest 

11  Sarah  Priest, 

12  Edward  Bumpasse, 

13  John  Crakstone. 


To  this  lot  fell  the  great  black  cow,  came  in  the 
Ann,  to  which  they  must  keep  the  lesser  of  the  two 
steers,  and  two  she  goats. 

3.  The  third  lot  fell  to  Capt.  Standish  and  his 
Company;  joined  to  him  his  wife  Barbara  Standish, 

3  Charles  Standish, 

4  Alexander  Standish, 

5  John  Standish, 

6  Edward  Win  slow, 

7  Susanna  Winslow, 

8  Edward  Winslow, 

To  this  lot  fell  the  red  cow,  which  belongeth  to  the 
poor  of  the  colony;  to  which  they  must  keep  her  calf 
of  this  year,  being  a  bull,  for  the  Company.  Also  to 
this  lot  came  two  she  goats. 


9  John  Winslow, 

10  Resolved  White, 

1 1  Peregrine  White, 

12  Abraham  Pierce, 

13  Thomas  Clarke. 


136 


GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


4.     The  fourth  lot  fell  to  John  Howland  and  his 
company;  joined  to  him  his  wife, 


2  Elizabeth  Howland, 

3  John  Howland,  Jun. 

4  Desire  Howland, 

5  William  Wright, 

6  Thomas  Morton,  Jim. 

7  John  Alden, 


8  Priscilla  Alden, 

9  Elizabeth  Alden, 

10  Clement  Briggs, 

11  Edward  Dotton, 

12  Edward  Holdman, 

13  Jo.  Alden. 


To  this  lot  fell  one  of  the  four  heifers,  came  in  the 
Jacob,  called  Raghorn., 

5  The  fifth  lot  fell  to  Mr.  William  Brewster  and 
his  company ;  joined  to  him, 


2  Love  Brewster, 

3  Wrestling  Brewster, 

4  Richard  More, 

5  Henri  Samson, 

6  Jonathan  Brewster, 

7  Lucrecia  Brewster 


8  William  Brewster, 

9  Mary  Brewster, 

10  Thomas  Prince, 

11  Pacience  Prince, 

12  Rebecka  Prince, 

13  Humilitie  Cooper. 


To  this  lot  fell  one  of  the  four  heifers,  came  in  the 
Jacob,  called  the  Blind  Heifer,  and  two  she  goats. 

6.     The  sixth  lot  fell  to  John  Shaw  and  his  com- 
pany ;  joined  to  him, 

2  John  Adams, 

3  Eliner  Adams, 

4  James  Adams, 

5  John  Win  slow, 

6  Mary  Winslow, 


8  Elizabeth  Basset, 

9  William  Bassite,  Jun. 

10  Elizabeth  Basset,  Jun. 

11  Francis  Sprague, 
12  Anna  Sprague, 


7  William  Bassett,        13  Mercye  Sprague. 
To  this  lot  fell  the  lesser  of  the  black  cows,  came 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  137 

at  first  ill  the  Ann;  with  which  they  must  keep  the 
biggest  of  the  two  steers.  Also  to  this  lot  was  two 
she  goats. 

7.  The  seventh  lot  fell  to  Stephen  Hopkins  and  his 
companie ;  joined  to  him  his  wife, 

2  Elizabeth  Hopkins,    8  William  Palmer, 

3  Giles  Hopkins,  9  Frances  Palmer, 

4  Caleb  Hopkins,        10  William  Palmer,  Jun. 

5  Debora  Hopkins,      11  John  Billington,  Sen. 

6  Nickolas  Snow,        12  Hellen  Billington, 

7  Constance  Snow,     13  Francis  Billington. 

To  this  lot  fell  a  black  weaning  calf;  to  which  was 
added  the  calfe  of  this  year,  to  come  of  the  black 
cow,  which  fell  to  John  Shaw  and  his  companie, 
which,  proving  a  bull,  they  were  to  keep  it  five  years 
for  common  use,  and  after  to  make  the  best  of  it. 
Nothing  belongeth  of  these  two  for  the  Company  of 
the  first  stock,  but  only  half  the  increase. 

To  this  lot  there  fell  two  she  goats ;  which  goats 
they  possess  on  the  like  terms  which  others  do  their 
cattle. 

8.  The  eighth  lot  fell  to  Samuel  Fuller  and  his 
company;  joined  to  him  his  wife, 


2  Bridget  Fuller, 

8  Martha  Ford, 

3  Samuel  Fuller,  Jun. 

3  Anthony  Anable, 

4  Peter  Browne, 

10  Jane  Anable, 

5  Martha  Browne, 

11   Sara  Anable, 

6  Mary  Browne, 

12  Hannah  Anable, 

7  John  Ford, 

13  Damaris  Hopkins. 

12* 

138 


GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


To  this  lot  fell  a  red  heifer,  came  of  the  cow  which 
belongeth  to  the  poor  of  the  colony,  and  is  of  that  con- 
sideration, viz.  these  persons  nominated  to  have  half 
the  increase,  the  other  half,  with  the  old  stock,  to  re- 
main for  the  use  of  the  poor.  To  this  lot  also  two  she 
goats. 

9.  The  ninth  lot  fell  to  Richard  Warren  and  his 
company ;  joined  with  him  his  wife  Elizabeth  War- 
ren, 


3  Nathaniel  Warren, 

4  Joseph  Warren, 

5  Mary  Warren, 

6  Ann  Warren, 

7  Sara  Warren, 

8  Elizabeth  Warren, 

To  this  lot  fell  one  of  the  four  black  heyfers  that 
came  in  the  Jacob,  called  the  Smooth  Horned  Heif- 
er, and  two  she  goats. 


9  Abigail  Warren, 

10  John  Billington, 

11  George  Sowle, 

12  Mary  Sowle, 

13  Zachariah  Sowle, 


10.     The  tenth  lot  fell  to  Ffrancis  Eaton  and  those 
joined  with  him,  his  wife  Christian  Eaton, 


3  Samuel  Eaton, 

4  Rahell  Eaton, 

5  Stephen  Tracie, 

6  Triphosa  Tracie, 

7  Sarah  Tracie, 

8  Rebecka  Tracie. 

To  this  lot  fell  an  heifer  of  the  last  year,  called  the 
White  Bellied  Heifer,  and  two  she  goats. 


9  Ralph  Wallen, 

10  Joyce  Wallen, 

11  Sarah  Morton, 

12  Robert  Bartlett, 

13  Thomas  Prence. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  139 

11.  The  eleventh  lot  fell  to  the  Governour,  Mr. 
William  Bradford,  and  those  with  him,  to  wit,  his 
wife, 

2  Alice  Bradford,  and  8  Manasses  Kempton, 

3  William  Bradford,  Jun.     9  Julian  Kempton, 

4  Mercy  Bradford,  10  Nathaniel  Morton, 

5  Joseph  Rogers,  11  John  Morion, 

6  Thomas  Cushman,  12  Ephraim  Morton, 

7  William  Latham,  13  Patience  Morton. 

To  this  lot  fell  an  heifer  of  the  last  year,  which 
was  of  the  great  white  back  cow,  that  was  brought 
over  in  the  Ann,  and  two  she  goats. 

12.  The  twelfth  lot  fell  to  John  Jene  and  his  com- 
pany; joined  to  him  his  wife, 

2  Sarah  Jenne,  8  Samuel  Hickes, 

3  Samuel  Jenne,  9  Ephraim  Hickes, 

4  Abigail  Jenne,  10  Lydia  Hickes, 

5  Sarah  Jene,  11  Phebe  Hickes, 

6  Robert  Hickes,  12  Stephen  Deane, 

7  Margaret  Hickes,  13  Edward  Bangs. 

To  this  lot  fell  the  great  white  back  cow,  which 
was  brought  over  with  the  first,  in  the  Ann ;  to  which 
cow  the  keeping  of  the  bull  was  joined  for  these 
presents  to  provide  for.     Here  also  two  she  goats. 

1627,  May  the  22d.  It  was  further  agreed  at  the 
same  court,  '  That  if  any  of  the  cattle  should  by  ac- 
cident miscarry,  or  be  lost  or  hurt,  that  the  same 
should  be  taken  knowledge  of  by  indifferent  men, 


140  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

and  judged  whether  the  loss  came  by  the  negligence 
or  default  of  those  betmsted  ;  and  if  they  were  found 
faulty,  that  then  such  should  be  forced  to  make  satis- 
faction for  the  companies,  as  also  their  partner's  dam- 
age.' 

The  above  is  a  literal  transcript  from  the  Old  Col- 
ony Records,  vol.  1st.  There  are  two  errors  contain- 
ed in  the  list  found  in  Hazard's  Collection,  viz.  in  the 
first  share  Josiah  Prat  should  be  Joshua  Prat. 

The  3d  of  January,  1627.  It  was  agreed  in  a  full 
court,  about  division  of  lands,  as  followeth : 

1.  That  the  first  division  of  the  acres  should  stand 
and  continue  firme,  according  to  the  former  division 
made  unto  the  possessors  thereof,  and  to  their  heirs 
forever,  free  liberty  being  reserved  to  all,  to  get  fire- 
wood thereon ;  but  the  timber  trees  were  excepted 
for  the  owners  of  the  ground. 

2.  That  the  second  division  should  consist  of  20 
acres  to  every  person,  and  containe  five  in  breadth 
and  four  in  length ;  and  so  accordingly  to  be  divided 
by  lot  to  every  one  which  was  to  have  share  therein. 

3.  The  ground  to  be  judged  sufficient  before  the 
lots  were  drawne,  and  the  rest  to  be  left  to  common 
use. 

4.  This  being  done,  that  for  our  better  subsist- 
ence and  convenience,  those  grounds  which  are  near- 
est the  towne,  in  whose  lot  so  ever  they  fall,  shall  be 
used  by  the  whole,  for  the  space  of  four  years  from 
the  date  hereof,  viz.  first,  that  the  right  owner  make 


RECOLLECTIONS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  141 

choice  of  twice  that  quantity  he  shall  or  may  use, 
within  the  said  terme,  and  then  to  take  to  him  such 
neighbors  as  shall  have  need  and  he  thinks  fite ;  but 
if  they  cannot  agree,  then  the  governor  and  council 
may  appoint  as  they  think  meet :  Provided  that  the 
woods  be  ordered  for  felling  and  loping  according  as 
the  owner  shall  appoint ;    for  neither  fire  wood  nor 

other  timber,  either  for or  fencing,  or  any  other 

use be  felled carried   off  of  any  of  these 

lots,  without  the  owners  leave  or  license,  but  he  is  to 
preserve  them best  advantage.  * 

5.  That  whatsoever  the  surveyers  judge  sufficient 
shall  stand  without  contradiction  or  opposition,  and 
every  man  shall  rest  contented  with  his  lot. 

6.  That  after  the  purchasers  are  served  as  afore- 
said, that  then  such  planters  as  are  heirs  to  such  as 
died  before  the  right  of  the  land  was  yielded  to  the 
adventurers,  have  also  20  acres,  a  person  proportion- 
able to  their  right  laid  out  in  part  of  their  inheritance. 

7.  That  first  they  shall  begine,  near  the  acres  of 
the  first  division  end,  and  lay  out  that  to  the  Eell 
River,  so  far  as  shall  be  thought  fit  by  the  surveyors  ; 
and  return  to  the  north  side  of  the  town,  and  so  pro- 
ceed accordingly  ;  and  that  they  shall  leave  all  great 
timber  swamps  for  common  use. 

8.  That  fowling,  fishing  and  hunting  shall  be 
free. 

9.  That  the  old  path  ways  be  still  allowed,  and 
that  every  man  be  allowed  a  convenient  way  to  the 
water  wheresoever  the  lot  fall. 


142  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

10.  Lastly,  that  every  man  of  the  surveyors  have 
each  a  peck  of  corn  for  every  share  of  land  laid  out  by 
them,  payed  by  the  owner  thereof,  when  the  same  is 
laid  out. 

The  names  of  the  layers  out  were  these  :  William 
Bradford,  Edward  Winslow,  John  Rowland,  Francis 
Cook,  Joshua  Pratt,  Edward  Bangs. 

After  the  arrangements  with  the  merchant  adven- 
turers were  fully  completed,  eight  individuals  of  the 
colony  hired  its  trade  for  the  term  of  six  years. 
These  individuals  were  William  Bradford,  Captain 
Miles  Standish,  Isaac  Allerton,  Edward  Winslow, 
William  Brewster,  John  Howland,  John  Alden,  Thom- 
as Prence  —  to  whom  were  afterwards  joined  James 
Shirley,  John  Beauchamp,  Richard  Andrews,  and 
Timothy  Hatherly  of  London.  These  were  called 
undertakers  —  and  in  consideration  of  having  under- 
taken and  agreed  '  to  pay,  discharge,  and  acquit  the 
said  colony  of  all  the  debts,  both  due  for  the  pur- 
chase, or  any  way  belonging  to  the  same  ; '  and  also 
agreeing  to  furnish  annually  in  hose  and  shoes,  for 
the  colony's  use,  to  the  amount  of  fifty  pounds  —  to 
be  sold  them  for  corn  at  65.  per  bushel,  —  were  to 
have  the  exclusive  trade  of  the  colony  for  six  years, 
and  '  to  have  and  freely  enjoy  the  pinnace,  the  boat 
at  Manomet,  and  the  Shallop  called  the  Bass  boat, 
with  all  other  implements  to  them  belonging,  that  is  in 
the  store  of  the  company,  with  the  whole  stock  of  furs, 
fells,  beads,  corn,  wampampeak,  hatchets,  knifes,  fee., 
that  is  now  in  the  store  or  any  way  due  unto  the  same 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  143 

upon  account.'  *  This  arrangement  enabled  the  col- 
ony to  pay  off  its  debts  and  to  secure  the  means  of 
transporting  that  part  of  the  church  which  remained 
at  Ley  den  —  though  not  without  great  individual  ef- 
forts and  sacrifices  on  the  part  of  the  undertakers  of  it. 
This  year  a  friendly  communication  was  opened 
with  the  Dutch  plantation,  settled  at  Hudson's  River. 
A  letter  was  received  from  Isaac  de  Razer,  dated 
from  the  Manhatas  in  the  fort  Amsterdam,  March  9, 
1627,  N.  S.,  directed  to  the  Governor  of  New  Plym- 
outh, and  was  replied  to  in  a  friendly  spirit  on  the 
19th  of  the  same  month.  In  the  spring  of  1628,  oth- 
er letters  were  received  from  the  same  source,  and 
afterwards  articles  of  traffic  were  forwarded  in  a  bark 
to  Manomet,  *  with  the  Secretary  Rassier  as  passen- 
ger. Governor  Bradford  sends  a  boat  and  brings  him 
and  his  company  to  Plymouth.  From  this  time  for 
many  years  after,  a  profitable  trade  was  conducted 
to  the  mutual  benefit  of  both  parties.  Upon  this  oc- 
casion the  colonists  first  commenced  the  traffic  in 
wampam,  which  eventually  proved  a  valuable  source 
of  income. 

1628.  This  year  a  trading  house  was  erected  by 
the  colony  high  up  the  Kennebeck  River. 

1629.  This  year,  much  difficulty  was  occasioned 
by  Thomas  Morten,  who  dwelt  at  Mount  Wallas- 
ton,  t  in  what   is  now  called    Quincy.      He  came 

*  See  Mass.  His.  Col.  vol.  3, 1st  series,  p.  60. 
t  Mount  Wallaston  is  a  beautiful  swell  of  land,  rising  100  feet 


144  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,   AND 

over  with  Captain  Wallaston  and  about  thirty  others 
in  the  year  1635.  Wallaston  left  the  plantation  in 
1626  —  and  Morton  contrived  to  become  the  chief 
manager  there.  His  licentious  and  unprincipled  con- 
duct became  matter  of  alarm  to  the  colony  of  Plym- 
outh and  other  settlers  in  the  country.  He  became 
quite  a  favorite  among  the  Indians,  and  not  only  sup- 
plied them  with  fire  arms,  but  instructed  them  in 
their  use,  and  employed  them  in  hunting.  The  ap- 
prehension of  settlers  in  different  parts  of  the  coun- 
try, led  them  to  solicit  the  aid  of  the  Plymouth  colo- 
nists to  suppress  the  establishment  of  Morton,  which 

above  high  water,  delightfully  situated,  within  about  80  rods  of 
Quincy  Bay,  and  commands  a  fine  view  of  the  islands  and  forts  in  the 
harbor,  as  well  as  Boston  and  the  surrounding  country.  It  is  three- 
fourths  of  a  mile  northeast  of  the  Stone  Church  in  Quincy,  and  two 
miles  to  the  northwest  of  what  is  called  Old  Spain,  where  Weston's 
colony  was  settled.  There  is  now  standing  on  this  mount  a  solitary, 
time-worn  red  cedar  tree,  six  feet  and  four  inches  in  circumference, 
at  the  distance  of  10  inches  above  the  ground.  Its  appearance,  and 
the  traditions  of  Quincy,  render  it  not  improbable  that  this  relic  of 
olden  time  formed  a  part  of  the  grove,  —  so  favorable  for  the  orgies 
of  Thomas  Morton  and  his  dissolute  associates. 

On  viewing  this  remaining  veteran  of  the  primitive  evergreens, 
which  once  decorated  this  beautiful  spot,  who  would  not  indulge,  at 
least  the  .temporary  wish,  to  find  '  tongues  in  trees,'  not  merely  in  a 
poetical,  but  in  a  more  literal  sense  ;  and  to  become  an  auditor  of  the 
tale  it  might  rehearse  of  the  past ;  the  withering  rebukes  which  it 
might  utter  against  perverted  talents  and  unrighteous  deeds  —  till  as- 
suming a  more  chastened  and  cheerful  tone  as  succeeding  periods  are 
unfolded,  it  should  well  on  the  lives  of  Tomson,  Flint,  Hancock  and 
Bryant  in  the  church,  and  the  Adamses,  Quincies  and  Greenleafs, 
distinguished  in  the  State ;  the  splendor  of  whose  fame,  while  it 
throws  into  dim  obscuiity  the  stain  of  earlier  days,  is  destined  to 
illumine  the  pathway  of  the  future. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  145 

they  agreed  to  undertake,  after  repeated  expostula- 
tions had  proved  unavailing.  Capt.  Standish  was 
deputed  for  this  purpose  —  and  coming  to  the  resi- 
dence of  Morion,  found  him  prepared  to  resist  —  but 
in  his  usually  decisive  way,  disarmed  and  made  him 
prisoner.  He  was  sent  prisoner  to  England,  but  suf- 
fered to  return  again  the  next  year  without  punish- 
ment. The  expense  of  this  expedition  against  Mor- 
ton was  £12  75,  of  which  Plymouth  paid  £2  10s, 
besides  their  trouble  in  other  respects. 

The  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  the  late  Pres- 
ident Adams,  directed  to  the  printer  of  the  Old  Colo- 
ny Memorial,  at  Plymouth,  dated  May  18,  1822, 
throws  some  light  on  the  character  of  Morton  and 
others  of  a  similar  stamp  : 

•  But  the  first  settlers  of  New  England  had  emis- 
saries sent  out  with  the  express  purpose  of  counter- 
acting and  destroying  their  puritanical  establish- 
ments. The  character  of  Sir  Christopher  Gardiner, 
of  Weston,  the  heart  of  the  establishment  of  Wes- 
saguscus,  and  Thomas  Morton,  of  Mount  Wallaston, 
ought  to  be  minutely  investigated.  They  were  all  in 
the  confidence  of  Archbishop  Laud,  as  appears  ex- 
plicitly by  the  writings  of  Thomas  Morton,  in  his 
New  Canaan.  This  Thomas  Morton  was  as  great 
a  plague  to  our  forefathers,  as  Tom.  Paine  has  been 
in  our  days.  His  writings,  conduct  and  character 
ought  to  be  examined,  and  stated  at  full  length. 
He  and  those  other  emissaries  furnished  the  Indians 
13 


146  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

with  arms,  and  taught  them  the  use  of  them ;  and 
what  was  worse  —  gave  them  spirituous  liquors  and 
commenced  their  habits  of  intoxication.' 

1G37.  This  year  is  memorable  on  account  of  the 
Pequot  war,  which  terminated  in  the  destruction  of 
that  tribe.  The  Colony  Records  mention  the  names 
of  38  individuals  who  volunteered  their  services  to 
aid  the  colonies  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut. 
Lieutenant  William  Holmes  was  appointed  leader  of 
the  expedition,  and  Mr.  Thomas  Prence,  counsellor 
of  war.  Their  services  were  not  needed,  the  war 
having  been  speedily  terminated  before  their  em- 
barkation for  the  scene  of  action. 

1643.  The  New  England  Confederacy  of  1643. 
This  important  event  in  the  history  of  America,  was 
suggested  to  the  colonies,  by  the  experience  of  the 
Pequot  war  —  and  became  the  subject  of  discussion 
at  that  time,  and  was  required  by  the  extended  settle- 
tlements  of  the  English,  at  that  early  period,  which 
exposed  them  to  hostilities  not  only  from  the  natives, 
but  from  the  French  settlements  in  Canada,  and  the 
Dutch  at  New  Amsterdam.  #'The  New  England 
Confederation  originated  in  the  Plymouth  colony,  and 
was  probably  suggested  to  them  by  the  example  which 
they  had  witnessed,  and  under  which  they  had  lived 
several  years  in  the  United  Netherlands.'     The  New 

*  See  John  Q.  Adams'  discourse,  Mass.  His.  Col.  vol.  9,  3d  series. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  147 

England  confederacy  was  confined  to  the  Puritan 
emigration  from  England.  Its  elements  were  all  ho- 
mogeneous in  their  nature,  and  its  professed  design 
to  continue  them  one  in  political  organization,  as 
they  were  in  nation  and  religion,  was  no  difficult 
achievement.  The  New  England  confederacy  of 
1643  was  the  model  and  prototype  of  the  North 
American  confederacy.  In  neither  of  the  two  cases 
was  the  measure  authorized  or  sanctioned  by  the 
charters  of  the  several  colonies,  parties  to  the  com- 
pact. In  both  cases  it  was  the  great  law  of  nature, 
and  of  nature's  God.  *  The  final  dissolution  of  the 
confederacy  was  occasioned  by  the  tyranny  of  James 
the  second,  in  seizing  and  vacating  the  charter  of  the 
Massachusetts  and  Plymouth  colonies.'  The  last 
meeting  of  the  commissioners,  as  appears  from  their 
records,  was  in  March,  1678.  Mr.  Edward  Winslow 
and  Mr.  William  Collor  were  the  commissioners  on 
the  part  of  Plymouth  colony,  in  the  formation  of  this 
confederacy.' 

Up  to  the  year  1664  the  meetings  of  the  commis- 
sioners were  held  annually ;  but  afterwards  were  tri- 
ennial. These  meetings  were  held  at  Boston,  Plym- 
outh, Hartford  and  New  Haven,  alternately,  except- 
ing that  in  the  rotation  two  successive  meetings  were 
held  in  Boston. 

1675.  Philip's  War.  This  interesting  period  in 
history  —  upon  which  hung  the  destiny  of  the  whole 
white   population  of   New   England  —  is    probably 


148  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

more  familiar  to  the  community,  than  almost  any 
event  in  our  early  history  ;  —  and  its  causes  —  pro- 
gress and  conclusion  —  have  engaged  the  attention  of 
various  historians,  from  the  attractive  pages  of  Church 
—  the  second  Standish  of  New  England  —  to  the 
more  labored  and  comprehensive  relations  of  Hub- 
bard, Drake  and  others. 

We  have  room  only  to  remark  that  Gov;  Josiah 
"Winslow,  Col.  Benjamin  Church,  William  Bradford, 
son  of  Gov.  Bradford,  Capt.  Michael  Pierce,  and  Jabez 
Howland,  son  of  John  Howland,  and  others  of  the  old 
colony,  were  distinguished  and  prominent  actors  in 
this  memorable  struggle,  for  supremacy  between  the 
English  and  aboriginal  races,  which  resulted  in  the 
death  of  King  Philip  or  Metacome,  in  August,  1676, 
the  dispersion  of  his  followers,  and  the  uninterrupted 
possession  of  New  England.  The  following  general 
remarks  of  a  distinguished  writer  on  this  subject  are 
subjoined.  *  '  Yet  the  war  which  broke  out  in  1675, 
commonly  called  King  Philip's  war,  can  hardly  be 
ascribed  to  this  or  any  other  particular  circumstance, 
and  appears  to  have  been  the  unavoidable  result  of 
the  relative  situation  in  which  the  Indians  and  whites 
were  placed.  Collisions  had  during  the  preceding 
period  often  occurred,  but  no  actual  hostilities  of  any 
importance  had  taken  place ;  and  Massachusetts,  par- 
ticularly, though  exposed  to  obloquy  on  that  account, 
always  interposed  to  prevent  war.     If  the  Indians 

*  Hon.  Albert  Gallaton.  See  Transactions  of  the  American  Anti- 
quarian Society,  vol.  2.  p.  39. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  149 

were  not  always  kindly,  it  cannot  be  said  that  they 
were  in  genera]  unjustly  treated.  With  the  excep- 
tion of  the  conquered  Pequods,  no  lands  were  ever 
forcibly  taken  from  them.  They  were  all  gradually 
purchased  from  those  sachems  respectively  in  whose 
possession  they  were.  But  there,  as  every  where 
else,  the  Indians,  after  a  certain  length  of  time,  found 
that  in  selling  their  lands  they  had  lost  their  usual 
means  of  subsistence,  that  they  were  daily  diminish- 
ing, that  the  gradual  progress  of  the  whites  was  irre- 
sistible, and  as  a  last  effort,  though  too  late,  they 
attempted  to  get  rid  of  the  intruders.* 


FIRST   CHURCH  IN   PLYMOUTH. 

It  is  not  proposed,  in  this  book,  to  enter  into  any 
minute  details  concerning  the  ecclesiastical  history  of 
the  Plymouth  Colony.  The  only  endeavor  will  be  to 
bring  together  into  one  brief  statement,  a  few  general 
and  important  facts,  gleaned  from  the  most  authentic 
sources  of  information.  It  is  well  known,  that  the 
removal  of  the  Pilgrims  from  England  to  Holland, 
whence  they  sailed  to  America,  was  one  of  the 
results  of  that  great  religious  movement  during  the 
latter  part  of  the  sixteenth  and  the  first  part  of  the 
seventeenth  centuries,  which  for  a  long  time  con- 
vulsed, and,  at  last,  revolutionized  England   itself. 

*  See  Appendix  D.  for  estimated  expenses  of  the  war,  &c. 

13* 


150  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

They  voluntarily  exiled  themselves  to  obtain  that 
freedom  which  their  brethren  who  remained,  at  last 
gained  by  the  sword.  In  1607,  the  church  under  the 
care  of  Mr.  John  Robinson,  determined  to  remove 
from  their  native  land.  Six  persons,  'men  of  piety 
and  learning,'  holding  similar  opinions,  had  already 
suffered  martyrdom.  Some  of  their  own  friends  were 
imprisoned.  They  were  all  exposed  to  continually 
increasing  disabilities  and  persecutions.  The  only 
alternatives  before  them  were,  a  conformity  to  the 
Church  they  deemed  so  corrupt,  or  a  series  of  bitter 
persecutions,  or  a  voluntary  exile. 

Their  first  attempt  at  removal  to  the  low  countries 
was  made  in  1607.  It  was  unsuccessful.  They  were 
betrayed  by  the  captain  of  the  ship  they  had  hired  for 
this  purpose,  and  delivered  into  the  hands  of  the 
magistrates  of  Lincolnshire,  and  some  of  them  suf- 
fered imprisonment. 

In  the  spring  of  1608,  another  and  a  successful 
attempt  was  made  by  a  part  of  their  number,  and 
after  encountering  a  violent  storm,  wherein  they  were 
in  most  imminent  danger  of  shipwreck,  they  arrived 
in  safety  at  Amsterdam.  The  remainder  of  the  com- 
pany, after  many  trials  in  England,  soon  joined  them, 
together  with  Mr.  Robinson,  their  pastor,  and  Mr. 
Brewster,  their  ruling  elder.  In  a  few  months,  how- 
ever, they  removed  to  the  city  of  Leyden,  where 
they  remained  until  they  sailed  to  this  country. 

Different  impressions  seem  to  have  been  enter- 
tained concerning  their  situation,  during  the  eleven 


RECOLLECTIONS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  151 

or  twelve  years  of  their  residence  at  Leyden.  Their 
numbers  were  greatly  increased  by  emigrations  from 
various  parts  of  England,  and  they  became  a  large 
congregation.*  But  recent  researches  make  it  appear 
that  they  were  not  treated  there  with  that  considera- 
tion and  respect  which  have  sometimes  been  sup- 
posed. They  probably  lived  in  care  and  in  poverty. 
As  the  'Memoirs  of  the  Pilgrims  at  Leyden,' t  by 
George  Sumner,  Esq.,  published  in  vol.  9,  third 
series,  of  the  Mass.  Historical  Collections,  seem  to 
demonstrate,  there  is  no  proof  of  their  having  received 
any  attentions  on  the  part  of  the  magistrates.  Prob- 
ably they  had  no  public  place  of  worship.  Robinson, 
their  pastor,  was  not  admitted  as  a  subject  of  the 
University  of  Leyden  until  1615,  September  5,  after 
a  residence  of  six  or  seven  years.  And  they  found 
great  difficulty  in  raising  the  necessary  means  to 
transport  themselves  to  America.  Their  privations 
and  self-denials  in  Holland,  in  some  respects  were 
greater  than  in  England.  A  few  days  sail  would 
have  carried  them  to  their  former  homes,  where  they 
might  have  been  comparatively  free  from  this  out- 
ward poverty.  They  lived  eleven  years  with  that 
temptation  continually  before  their  eyes,  yet  un- 
tempted,  all  the  while,  to  swerve  from  the  strictest 


*  The  number  of  Robinson's  congregation  cannot  now  be  ascertained 
with  entire  accuracy.  It  probably  consisted  of  about  300  —  corres- 
ponding nearly  with  those  who  came  over  in  the  years  1820, 1821  and 
1813  2- 1829  and  1830. 

t  See  appendix. 


152  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

devotion  to  their  principle.  It  would  be  easy  to  show 
how  the  attractions  of  their  previous  homes  must 
have  pleaded  often  with  all  merely  human  feeling, 
as  they  looked  over  the  sea  towards  their  native 
shores.  They  lived  in  '  the  life  of  God/  who  could 
thus  endure  and  overcome. 

In  1617,  they  began  to  consult  together  concerning 
another  removal  to  some  of  the  unpeopled  countries 
in  America.  After  many  consultations,  a  part  of  the 
Church  departed  from 'Leyden,  on  the  21st  of  July, 
1620,  to  embark  at  Delft  haven,  for  England,  whence 
they  were  to  sail.  Mr.  Robinson  accompanied  them 
to  the  ship,  and  at  the  moment  of  their  departure,  fell 
upon  his  knees,  and  in  fervent  prayer,  with  many 
tears,  commended  them  to  the  divine  blessing.  As 
the  larger  part  of  the  Church  still  remained,  Mr.  Rob- 
inson continued  in  Holland.  Mr.  Brewster,  the  rul- 
ing elder,  embarked  with  them,  and  discharged  the 
duties  both  of  elder  and  of  pastor. 

It  was  the  intention  of  Robinson,  soon  to  join  those 
who  first  emigrated,  and  he  was,  therefore,  still  con- 
sidered the  pastor  of  the  Plymouth  Church.  His 
wish  was  not  gratified.  The  last  time  when  the  early 
Pilgrims  heard  his  voice,  was  at  the  moment  of  his 
parting  prayer  upon  the  deck  at  Delfthaven.  Still 
those  who  went  first  were  to  constitute  an  '  absolute 
church  of  themselves,'  according  to  the  fundamental 
principle  of  Congregationalism  ;  which  considers  each 
congregation  of  worshiping  Christians  as  a  church- 
body,  entire  in  itself,  competent  to  manage  its  own 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  153 

affairs,  and  accountable  to  no  other  ecclesiastical  tribu- 
nal. They  thus  became  of  course  the  First  Congre- 
gational Church  in  America.  The  death  of  Robin- 
son, at  Leyden,  March  1st,  1625,  caused  the  dissolu- 
tion of  the  church  and  congregation  there.  Previous- 
ly to  that  event,  two  other  companies,  one  arriving  in 
the  Fortune,  in  1621,  and  one  in  the  Ann,  in  1623, 
had  already  joined  the  first  Pilgrims.  In  1629,  and 
in  1630,  others  of  their  number  arrived,  thus  trans- 
ferring the  majority  of  the  Leyden  Church  to  Plym- 
outh. 

It  is  not  proposed  to  enter  into  the  particular  his- 
tory of  the  church  after  its  first  establishment.  Indeed, 
both  the  early  and  the  later  history  of  the  Church  and 
of  the  Colony,  are  in  a  great  degree  the  same.  The 
ecclesiastical  history  is  also  the  civil  history.  The 
Church  constituted  the  Colony.  It  may  only  be 
necessary  to  notice  briefly  the  opinions  and  constitu- 
tion of  the  original  church,  before  giving  a  sketch  of 
subsequent  events. 

Questions  concerning  doctrine,  in  the  strict  sense 
of  that  term,  seldom  appear  in  the  early  records  of 
the  Colony.  Undoubtedly  the  Pilgrims  held  to  the 
general  views  of  the  Protestants  of  that  day.  But  the 
controversies  that  moved  them  most  deeply,  concerned, 
the  government  and  some  of  the  rites  of  the  church. 
The  fundamental  principle  of  Congregationalism, 
which  asserted  the  entire  independence  of  each  as- 
sembly of  worshiping  Christians,  and  the  right  of  each 
believer  to  try  all  doctrines  by  the  Scriptures,  as  the 


154  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

only  authoritative  standard  concerning  faith  and  wor- 
ship, was  the  great  principle  which  brought  them  to  the 
wilderness,  and  directed  their  action.  They  acknowl- 
edged no  spiritual  rulers,  except  the  pastors  and  el- 
ders chosen  by  themselves.  Every  other  ecclesiasti- 
cal authority  they  renounced  and  deposed.  Although 
they  protested  against  opinions  held  by  the  establish- 
ed Church  in  England,  still  it  was  not  so  much  with 
respect  to  doctrines  as  spiritual  freedom  for  which 
they  contended.  If,  in  subsequent  years,  and  in  their 
treatment  of  persons  holding  a  different  faith,  the  Pil- 
grims appeared  to  depart  from  this  their  great  princi- 
ple of  action,  and  to  fall  short  of  the  broad  and  com- 
prehensive religious  toleration  of  Williams  and  Penn, 
or  even  of  Lord  Baltimore,  much  is  to  be  allowed  to 
the  inherent  difficulties  of  their  position,  and  some- 
thing, perhaps,  to  the  spirit  of  the  age  in  which  they 
lived.  When  these  are  fully  considered,  apparent 
inconsistencies  in  their  conduct,  which  have  recently 
been  greatly  magnified,  will  be  viewed  by  all  tolerant 
minds  of  the  present  day,  who  see  so  many  errors  of 
the  kind  still  exerting  a  more  powerful  sway,  with  the 
palliation  that  true  charity  would  extend  to  them. 

According  to  the  constitution  of  the  original  Church, 
it  had  the  following  officers,  chosen  by  the  brethren. 
1.  '  Pastors,  or  teaching  elders,  who  had  the  power 
of  overseeing,  teaching,  administering  the  sacrament, 
and  ruling  too ;  and  being  chiefly  to  give  themselves 
to  studying,  teaching,  and  the  spiritual  care  of  the  flock, 
are  therefore  to  be  maintained.    2.  Mere  ruling  elders, 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  155 

who  are  to  help  the  pastor  in  overseeing  and  ruling; 
and  being  also  qualified  in  some  degree  to  teach, 
they  are  to  teach  occasionally,  through  necessity,  or 
in  their  pastor's  absence  or  illness;  but  being  not  to 
give  themselves  to  study  or  teaching,  they  have  no 
need  of  maintenance.'  3.  *  Deacons,  who  are  to  take 
care  of  the  treasure  of  the  church;  to  distribute  for 
the  support  of  the  pastor,  the  supply  of  the  needy, 
and  the  propagation  of  religion;  and  to  minister  at  the 
Lord's  table.'  The  office  of  ruling  elder,  however, 
did  not  continue  for  many  years.  In  most  churches 
it  ceased  in  the  first  half  century.  In  a  few,  it  nomi- 
nally remained  nearly  for  a  century  later. 

As  we  trace  the  history  of  the  Church  from  its 
foundation  to  the  present  time,  many  modifications  of 
its  opinions  may  of  course  be  observed.  Its  mem- 
bers first  associated  themselves  together  under  a  very 
simple  and  liberal  covenant.  The  first  covenant  on 
record  is  as  follows : 

1676.  '  The  war  continuing  and  also  sickness,  the 
church  set  apart  April  19,  for  fasting  and  prayer,  and 
also  May  30,  for  the  same  grounds.  The  General 
Court  in  June,  being  sensible  of  the  heavy  hand  of 
God  upon  the  country,  in  the  continuance  of  war 
with  the  heathen,  appointed  a  day  of  humiliation  to  be 
kept,  22  day  of  it,  and  added  thereto  a  solemn  motion 
to  all  our  churches  to  renew  a  covenant  engagement 
to  God  for  reformation  of  all  provoking  evils.  The 
church  attended  that  day  of  prayer,  and  then  the 
elders  appointed  a  church  meeting  to  be  on  June  29. 


156  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

The  church  then  all  met.  Our  church 
were  ever  begun  and  attended  with  prayer,  (the  Pas- 
tor ordinarily  beginning  and  the  Elder  concluding 
therewith.)  After  prayer  for  God's  direction  and 
blessing  in  so  solemn  a  matter,  a  church  covenant 
was  read,  and  the  church  voted  that  it  should  be  left 
upon  record  as  that  which  they  did  own  to  be  the 
substance  of  that  covenant  which  their  fathers  enter- 
ed into  at  the  first  gathering  of  the  church,  which  was 
in  these  words  following : 

'  In  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  obe- 
dience to  his  holy  will  and  divine  ordinances, 

We  being  by  the  most  wise  and  good  Providence 
of  God  brought  together  in  this  place,  and  desirous  to 
unite  ourselves  into  one  congregation  or  church  under 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  our  head,  that  it  may  be  in 
such  sort  as  becometh  all  those  whom  he  hath 
redeemed  and  sanctified  to  himself,  we  do  hereby, 
solemnly  and  religiously,  (as  in  his  most  holy  pres- 
ence) avouch  the  Lord  Jehovah  the  only  true  God  to 
be  our  God,  and  the  God  of  ours,  and  do  promise  and 
bind  ourselves  to  walk  in  all  our  ways  according  to 
the  rule  of  the  Gospel,  and  in  all  sincere  conformity 
to  his  holy  ordinances,  and  in  mutual  love  to,  and 
watchfulness  over  one  another,  depending  wholly  and 
only  upon  the  Lord  our  God  to  enable  us  by  his  grace 
hereunto!'' 

This  remained  for  a  long  period  as  the  Covenant 
of  the  Church.  At  a  later  time,  when  questions  of 
doctrine  became  in  a  greater  degree  the  subject  of 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  157 

thought,  the  church  adopted  a  more  precise  statement 
of  its  general  opinions  as  articles  of  faith.  But  the 
principle  of  individual  freedom  of  conscience,  asserted 
by  the  fathers,  at  last  vindicated  itself;  and  in  1799, 
upon  the  death  of  the  Pastor,  Rev.  Chandler  Rob- 
bins,  D.  D.,  the  liberal  men  of  the  time  became  the 
majority,  and  settled  a  Pastor  in  accordance  with 
their  own  views,  by  a  vote  of  23  to  15,  on  the  part  of 
the  Church,  and  of  253  to  15,  on  the  part  of  the 
Congregation.     The  Church  is  now  Unitarian. 

Among  the  events  specially  affecting  the  prosperity 
of  this  Church,  was  the  frequent  formation  of  new 
congregations  from  its  numbers  in  different  periods 
in  its  history.  Some  were  formed  for  the  convenience 
of  inhabitants  living  at  a  distance,  and  some  on 
account  of  differences  in  religious  faith.  As  these 
may  be  more  particularly  noticed  in  other  pages  of 
this  book,  they  are  merely  named  here  in  the  order 
of  time  for  convenient  reference. 
.  1.  In  1632,  a  church  was  formed  from  the  Plymouth 
Church  in  Duxbury.  This  still  remains  as  the  First 
Church,  in  Duxbury. 

2.  In  1633  or  4,  or  near  that  time,  another  was 
established  at  Green's  harbor  in  Marshfield. 

3.  In  1644,  a  part  of  the  church  removed  to  East- 
ham,  and  established  a  church  there,  which  is  still 
remaining. 

4.  In  1698,  another  church  was  established  in  the 
territory  now  constituting  the  town  of  Plympton,  and 
which  remains  as  the  First  Church  in  that  town. 

14 


158  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

5.  In  1717,  the  inhabitants  of  the  north  part  of  the 
town  formed  themselves  into  what  was  then  called 
the  Jones'  River  Parish.  This  remains  as  the  First 
Church  in  Kingston. 

6.  In  1731,  a  precinct  was  made  at  Manomet  Pond 
in  Plymouth,  and  on  November  8th,  1747,  a  church 
was  embodied  there,  which  now  remains  as  the 
Second  Congregational  Church  in  Plymouth. 

7.  In  1744,  a  new  church  was  formed  from  the  old, 
in  the  village  of  Plymouth,  on  account  of  the  dissat- 
isfaction of  many  members  with  the  conduct  of  Mr. 
Leonard  the  pastor,  in  countenancing  the  itinerant 
preaching  and  revival  measures  of  that  day.  It  was 
called  the  Third  Church  in  Plymouth.  It  continued 
a  separate  society  until  1783,  when  its  members  were 
reunited  with  the  First  Church. 

8.  In  1801,  the  minority  of  the  First  Church  were 
organized  into  the  Third  Church  in  Plymouth,  which 
still  remains  under  the  name  of  the  Church  of  the 
Pilgrimage. 

9.  In  1809,  a  Baptist  Church  was  formed  in  the 
town. 

10.  In  1814,  a  church  was  established  atEel  River, 
now  called  Chiltonville,  by  members  from  the  First 
and  Third  churches,  for  the  convenience  of  inhabi- 
tants in  that  section  of  the  town.  This  is  called  the 
Fourth  Congregational  church  in  Plymouth. 

11.  In  1822,  March  11th,  a  Universalist  Society 
was  established  by  seceders  from  the  First  Parish. 

Since  that  date,  other  Societies  have  been  estab- 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  159 

lished  in  the  town,  whose  members  have  gathered 
from  various  quarters,  and  whose  names  and  dates 
will  be  elsewhere  given. 


MINISTERS  OF  THE  FIRST  CHURCH  AND 

THOSE  WHO  OFFICIATED  AS  ITS 

TEACHERS. 

As  has  been  already  stated,  it  was  the  intention  of 
John  Robinson,  pastor  of  the  Leyden  Church  to  emi- 
grate to  Plymouth.  He  was  therefore  considered  the 
Pastor  of  that  church  until  his  death.  He  was  born 
in  1575.  The  place  of  his  birth  is  not  known.  He 
entered  Emanuel  College,  Cambridge,  in  1592.  It 
is  not  known  in  what  year  he  received  his  first 
degree.  He  had  the  degree  of  A.  M.  in  1600,  and  of 
B.  D,  in  1607.  Previously  to  his  election  as  the 
Pastor  of  the  Pilgrim's  Church,  he  had  a  benefice 
near  Yarmouth,  in  Norfolk.  He  died  at  Leyden, 
March  1st,  1625,  and  was  buried  March  4th,  at  St. 
Peter's  Church.  He  was  a  man  of  great  power,  and 
extraordinary  character.  It  is  sufficient  to  mark  his 
character,  to  say  that  he  seems  worthy  to  have  been 
the  leader  and  guide  of  the  Pilgrims.  The  authen- 
ticity of  the  farewell  discourse  to  the  Pilgrims,  so 
often  quoted,  has  of  late  been  questioned.  But,  how- 
ever that  may  be  settled,  his  remaining  letters  are 
abundant  evidence  of  the  largeness  of  his  thought^ 
and  the  nobleness  of  his  spirit.     He  was  the  author 


160  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

of  many  books,  both  previous  to  his  departure  from 
England,  and  during  his  residence  at  Leyden.  The 
following  is  the  farewell  address  of  Robinson  as  con- 
tained in  Winslow's  brief  narration. 

1  We  are  now  ere  long  to  part  asunder,  and  the 
Lord  knoweth  whether  ever  he  should  live  to  see  our 
faces  again.  But  whether  the  Lord  had  appointed  it 
or  not,  he  charged  us  before  God  and  his  blessed 
angels,  to  follow  him  no  further  than  he  followed 
Christ ;  and  if  God  should  reveal  any  thing  to  us  by 
any  other  instrument  of  his,  to  be  as  ready  to  receive 
it  as  ever  we  were  to  receive  any  truth  by  his  minis- 
try;  for  he  was  very  confident  the  Lord  had  more 
truth  and  light  yet  to  break  forth  out  of  his  holy  word. 
He  took  occasion  also  miserably  to  bewail  the  state 
and  condition  of  the  Reformed  Churches,  who  were 
come  to  a  period  in  religion,  and  would  go  no  further 
than  the  instruments  of  their  Reformation.  As,  for 
example,  the  Lutherans,  they  could  not  be  drawn  to 
go  beyond  what  Luther  saw ;  for  whatever  part  of 
God's  will  he  had  further  imparted  and  revealed  to 
Calvin,  they  will  rather  die  than  embrace  it.  And  so 
also,  saith  he,  you  see  the  Calvinists,  they  stick  where 
he  left  them ;  a  misery  much  to  be  lamented  ;  for 
though  they  were  precious  shining  lights  in  their 
times,  yet  God  had  not  revealed  his  whole  will  to 
them;  and  were  they  now  living,  saith  he,  they  would 
be  as  ready  and  willing  to  embrace  further  light,  as 
that  they  had  received.  Here  also  he  put  us  in  mind 
of  our  church  covenant,  at  least  that  part  of  it  whereby 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  161 

we  promise  and  covenant  with  God  and  one  with 
another,  to  receive  whatsoever  light  or  truth  shall  be 
made*  known  to  us  from  his  written  word ;  but  withal 
exhorted  us  to 'take-heed  what  we  received  for  truth, 
and  well  to  examine  and  compare  -it  and  weigh  it 
with  other  Scriptures,  of  truth  before  we  'received  it. 
For,  saith  he,  it  is  not  possible  the  Christian  world 
should  come  so  lately  but  of  such  thick  antichristian 
darkness,  and  that  fall  perfection  of  knowledge 
should  break  forth  at  once. 

1  Another  thing  he  commended  to  us,  was  that  we 
should  use  all  means  to  avoid  and  shake  off  the  name 
of  Brownist,  being  a  mere  nickname  and  brand  to 
make  religion  odious  and  the  professors  of  it  to  the 
Christian  world.  And  to  that  end,  said  he,  I  should 
be  glad  if  some  godly  minister  would  go  over  with 
you  before  my  coming;  for,  said  he,  there  will  be  no 
difference  between  the  unconformable  ministers  and 
you,  when  they  come  to  the  practice  of  the  ordi- 
nances out  of  the  kingdom.  And  so  advised  us  by 
all  means  to  endeavor  to  close  with  the  godly  party 
of  the  kingdom  of  England,  and  rather  to  study 
union  than  division,  viz  how  near  we  might  possibly 
without  sin  close  with  them,  than  in  the  least  mea- 
sure to  affect  division  or  separation  from  them.  And 
be  not  loath  to  take  another  pastor  or  teacher,  saith 
he ;  for  that  flock  that  hath  two  shepherds  is  not 
endangered  but  secured  by  it.' 

In   1624,  one  John   Lyford  came  over  to  be  the 
pastor  of  the   church,  but  in   consequence   of  his 
14* 


162 


GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


factious  conduct  was  sentenced  to  be  expelled  from 
the  Colony. 

No  minister  was  settled  over  the  church  until  1629. 
In  the  mean  time  Mr.  William  Brewster,  the  ruling 
elder,  discharged  the  duties  of  a  pastor.  He  was  a 
man  of  great  piety,  and  peculiar  gifts.  He  was  born 
in  1564.  He  passed  some  time  in  Cambridge,  and 
served  William  Davison,  Secretary  of  State  under 
Elizabeth,  for  some  years,  with  much  honor.  He 
was  one  of  the  chief  sufferers  on  account  of  the  first 
attempt  for  a  removal  to  Holland  in  1607.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  he  would  have  been  chosen  Governor  of 
the  Colony  had  he  not  been  the  ruling  elder  of  the 
church.  His  own  modesty  would  not  permit  him  to 
be  chosen  its  pastor.  He  was  the  author  of  several 
works.  He  died  April  16th,  1644,  being  about  four- 
score years  old. 

1629.  In  this  year,  Mr.  Ralph  Smith  was  ordained 
as  the  first  pastor  of  the  church.  He  was  educated 
at  Christ's  College  in  Cambridge,  and  received  his 
first  degree  in  1613.  He  seems  to  have  been  a  man 
of  piety  and  integrity;  but  his  ministry  was  unsatis- 
factory, and  in  1634  or  5  he  resigned  his  office. 

During  this  period,  from  1631,  Mr.  Roger  Williams 
officiated  as  minister,  for  about  three  years.  His 
opinions  however  were  not  acceptable  to  the  people, 
and  at  his  own  request  he  was  dismissed  to  Salem. 

In  1635-6  Mr.  John  Norton  preached  for  a  few 
months  in  Plymouth,  but  he  declined  to  settle  with 
the  church,  and  went  to  Ipswich,  and  subsequently 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE     PILGRIMS.  163 

to  Boston,  where  he  was  greatly  distinguished  as  a 
divine. 

1636.  In  this  year,  Mr.  John  Rayner,  educated  at 
Magdalen  College,  Cambridge,  where  he  received  his 
first  degree,  in  1625,  was  ordained  as  the  second  pas- 
tor of  the  church.  He  was  a  man  of  great  worth,  and 
accomplished  gifts.  He  continued  in  Plymouth  until 
1654,  when,  in  consequence  of  the  reduced  state  of 
the  church,  the  connection  was  dissolved,  to  the  great 
regret  of  the  people.  He  went  to  Dover,  N.  H. 
where  he  died  in  1669. 

Early  in  his  ministry,  in  1637,  Rev.  Charles  Chaun- 
cy  became  an  assistant  to  Mr.  Rayner,  and  remain- 
ed for  three  years.  He  was  greatly  urged  to  continue 
as  associate  minister ;  but  removed  to  Scituate,  and 
afterwards  became  President  of  Harvard  College. 

From  1654  to  1667  there  was  no  ordained  Pastor. 
During  a  part  of  this  period  the  chief  difficulties  with 
the  Quakers  occurred.  From  1664  to  1666  Mr.  James 
Williams  and  Mr.  William  Brimsmead  officiated  tem- 
porarily as  ministers. 

1667.  Mr.  John  Cotton  Jr.  son  of  Rev.  John  Cot- 
ton of  Boston,  commenced  his  ministerial  services  in 
1667,  and  on  June  30th  1669,  he  was  settled  as  the 
third  ordained  minister  of  the  church.  Mr.  Cotton 
continued  in  that  office  for  30  years,  when  in  conse- 
quence of  internal  divisions  in  the  church  he  resigned. 
After  remaining  in  Plymouth  a  short  time  he  went  to 
Charleston,  S.  C.  to  be  settled  in  the  ministry  there. 
He  died  at  Charleston,  Sept.   18th,  1699.     He  was 


164  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

born  March  15th,  1639,  40,  and  graduated  at  Cam- 
bridge in  1657. 

1697.  Immediately  after  the  resignation  of  Mr. 
Cotton,  the  church  invited  Mr.  Ephraim  Little,  a 
graduate  of  Cambridge,  in  1695,  to  officiate  as  its 
pastor.  He  was  ordained  Oct.  4th,  1699,  and  re- 
mained until  his  death,  at  the  age  of  47  years,  Nov. 
23,  1723.  He  was  a  man  of  useful  and  exemplary 
life,  and  was  the  first  minister  of  the  church  that  was 
buried  in  the  town. 

1724.  Mr.  Nathaniel  Leonard,  a  graduate  of  Cam- 
bridge, In  1719,  was  ordained  as  the  pastor  of  the 
church,  July  29th.  During  his  ministry  Mr.  White- 
field  visited  Plymouth  ;  and,  in  consequence  of  Mr. 
Leonard's  favoring  of  what  were  called  '  new  light 
measures,'  a  division  took  place  in  the  church.  He 
remained  until  1757,  when,  in  consequence  of  bodily 
infirmities,  he  asked  a  dismission,  and  removed  to 
Norton. 

1760.  After  having  heard  many  candidates,  Jan. 
30th,  1760,  Rev.  Chandler  Bobbins  was  ordained  as 
minister  of  the  church.  He  was  born  at  Branford,  Con- 
necticut, Aug.  24th,  1738,  and  graduated  at  Yale  Col- 
lege in  1756.  His  ministry  continued  until  his  death, 
June  30th,  1799,  at  the  age  of  61  years.  He  was  a 
distinguished  minister  of  his  time.  He  received  the 
degree  of  D.  D.  from  Dartmouth  College,  in  1792, 
and  from  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  in  1793. 

1800.  Jan.  1st,  1800,  Mr.  James  Kendall,  a  native 
of  Sterling,  Mass.  and  a  graduate  of  Cambridge  in 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  165 

1796,  was  ordained.  Dr.  Kendall  received  the  degree 
of  D.  D.  at  Cambridge,  in  1825,  and  still  continues 
as  the  senior  minister  of  the  church. 

1838.  Jan.  3d,  1838,  George  W.  Briggs,  a  native 
of  Little  Compton,  R.  I.  and  a  graduate  at  Brown 
University,  was  installed  as  associate  minister. 


RULING  ELDERS  OF  THE  FIRST  CHURCH 
OF  PLYMOUTH. 

William  Brewster  from  the  organization  of  the 
church  in  England  to  his  death  in  1644,  aged  84. 

1647.     Thomas  Cushman  — died  in  1691,  aged  84. 

1699.     Thomas  Faunce  "      "    1645,      "      99. 

After  this  period  the  office  of  Elder  was  discon- 
tinued. 


DEACONS    OF    THE    FIRST     CHURCH    IN 
PLYMOUTH. 

John  Carver,  )  chosen  previous  to  the  embar- 

Sanmel  Fuller,  )     cation  from  Leyden  in  1620. 

Richard  Marsterson,  )   o  <=>  Robert  Finney,      ) 

7  i  o  <*>  ?  1 667 

Thomas  Blossom,      )  i^Ephraim  Morton,  J 

John  Doane,  ]  Thomas    Faunce,     1686. 

William  Paddy,  George  Morton,    ] 

John  Cook,  f  1634'      Nathaniel  Wood,  }  1694. 

John  Durham,  Thomas  Clark, 


166  GUIDE  TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

John  Foster,     )  Ephraim  Spooner,  1784, 

John  At  wood,  )  '  Jonathan  Diman,  1784. 

Haviland  Torrey,  j  John  Bishop,  1797. 


Thomas  Clark,      )  Lemuel  Drew,         1812. 

Thomas    Foster,  ^  .    William  P.  Ripley,  1818. 

Joseph   Bartlett,  j>  1745.      Eosseton  Cotton,     1822. 
John    Torrey,       j  *  Ichabod  Morton,  1831. 

William  Crombie,   1776. 


UNION  OF  THE  COLONIES  OF  PLYMOUTH 
AND  MASSACHUSETTS. 

This  event  occurred  in  the  year  1692.  The  Gov- 
ernment of  Plymouth  Colony  had  previously  endea- 
vored to  procure  a  separate  Charter,  and  in  1790  had 
appointed  Sir  Henry  As  hurt,  of  England,  Reverend 
Increase  Mather,  of  Boston,  and  Reverend  Ichabod 
Wiswell,  of  Duxbury,  as  agents  to  procure  the  same 
from  William  and  Mary,  who  succeeded  the  turbulent 
and  tyrannical  reign  of  James  the  2d.  The  efforts  of 
Mr.  WTiswell  to  secure  a  charter,  were  earnest  and 
unremitting,  but  proved  unavailing.  Had  sufficient 
pecuniary  means  existed  at  the  time,  it  seems  proba- 
ble that  the  object  in  view  would  have  been  attained. 
A  charter  was  obtained  for  Massachusetts,  which  was 
signed  October  7th,  1691,  and  Plymouth  Colony  was 
included,  after  a  separate  existence  of  seventy-one 
years. 

*  Resigned. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  167 

The  last  court  of  Election  was  held  at  Plymouth 
in  June,  and  the  deputies  from  Plymouth  were  John 
Bradford  and  Isaac  Cushman.  Mr.  Hinkley  was 
re-elected  governor,  and  William  Bradford  deputy 
governor. 

In  1G92,  Sir  William  Phips  arrived  at  Boston,  with 
the  new  charter  on  the  14th  of  May.  He  was 
commissioned  governor  in  chief,  in  their  majesty's 
name,  William  and  Mary,  and  summoned  a  court  to 
assemble  on  the  8th  of  June.  The  province  of 
Massachusetts  Bay  proceeded  to  organize  under  the 
new  charter,  and  the  union  of  the  two  Colonies  was 
soon  perfected. 

By  the  new  Charter,  Plymouth  was  entitled  to  four 
of  the  28  Counselors,  and  the  names  of  Thomas 
Hinkley,  William  Bradford,  John  Walley,  and  Bar- 
nabas Lothrop,  were  designated  for  that  purpose. 
The  qualifications  of  electors  according  to  the  war- 
rant for  election,  was  '  a  freehold  of  40  shillings  per 
annum,  or  other  property  of  the  value  of  40  pounds 
sterling.'  The  old  general  court,  however,  met  at 
Plymouth  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  July  for  the  last 
time.  They  appointed  the  last  Wednesday  of 
August  to  be  kept  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  humilia- 
tion. Some  distinguished  individuals  were  dissatis- 
fied with  the  union  of  the  Colonies.  The  following 
remarks  of  Judge  Davis,  in  his  valuable  appendix  to 
the  New  England  Memorial,  page  477,  are  here  sub- 
joined, to  which  work  the  reader  is  referred  for  a 
more  extended  account  of  proceedings  relative  to  the 


1C8  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

charter.  '  It  is  to  the  honor  of  Massachusetts,  that  none 
have  had  reason  to  regret  a  comprehension  within 
her  jurisdiction,  and  that  her  history,  in  every  stage 
of  her  progress,  exhibits  multiplied  instances  of  mag- 
nanimity, public  spirit,  and  regard  to  the  best  inter- 
ests of  mau.' 

The  first  General  Court,  under  the  New  Charter, 
June  8th,  passed  an  act,  declaring  that  all  the  laws 
of  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  and  the  Colony 
of  New  Plymouth,  not  being  repugnant  to  the  laws 
of  England,  nor  inconsistent  with  the  charter,  should 
remain  in  force  in  the  respective  colonies  until  the 
10th  of  November,  1692,  excepting  in  cases  where 
other  provision  should  be  made  by  law. 

Mr.  Baylies  observes  in  his  valuable  Memoir  of 
Plymouth  Colony,  that,  '  with  respect  to  political 
objects,  previous  to  the  year  163G,  the  Plymouth  Col- 
ony may  be  considered  to  have  been  but  a  voluntary 
association,  ruled  by  the  majority  and  nr:t  by  fixed 
laws.  It  does  not  appear  except  in  a  few  instances, 
that  they  had  availed  themselves  of  their  delegated 
powers  under  their  patent  to  enact  laws  until  1633.' 

A  few  laws  only,  and  such  as  were  of  the  most 
urgent  necessity  were  then  established,  such  as  de- 
claring every  one  within  the  jurisdiction  liable  to  the 
performance  of  military  duty;  'giving  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  probate  of  wills,  and  of  granting  adminstrations  to 
the  governor  and  assistants ;'  regulating  fishing  and 
fowling ;  authorizing  constables  and  persons  trespass- 
ed upon  to  impound  cattle  taken  in  damage  peasant. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  169 

Penalties  were  inflicted  on  such  as  fired  the  woods. 
Lands  of  persons  deceased  were  made  liable  for 
their  debts  in  case  of  the  insufficiency  of  personal 
property.' 

Besides  these  laws,  provision  was  made  for  pro- 
tecting the  forests  and  preventing  waste,  for  guarding 
against  fire,  by  prohibiting  the  use  of  thatch  for  cov- 
ering the  roofs  of  their  houses,  a  resort  to  which  was 
necessary  at  the  first  settlement  * 

On  the  15th  of  November,  1836,  at  a  court  of 
associates,  the  following  declaration  was  ordered : 
'  We  the  Associates  of  New  Plymouth,  coming  hither 
as  free  born  subjects  of  the  State  of  England,  and 
endowed  with  all  and  singular,  the  privileges  be- 
longing to  such,  being  assembled,  do  ordain  that 
no  act,  imposition,  law,  or  ordinance  be  made  or 
imposed  upon*  us  at  the  present  or  to  come,  but  such 
as  shall  be  made  and  imposed  by  consent  of  the  body 
of  the  associates,  or  their  representatives  legally 
assembled,  which  is  according  to  the  liberties  of  the 
State  of  England.'  Respecting  this  order,  Mr.  Bay- 
lies observes,  '  This  is  the  first  declaration  of  rights, 
if  not  of  independence,  and  the  laws  which  followed 


*  In  the  year  1623,  the  following  appears  on  the  first  book  of  Old 
Colony  records  page  4,  in  the  hand  writing  of  Gov.  Bradford. 

'  It  was  ordained  17th  day  of  desemb.  anno.  1623,  by  the  court  then 
held  ;  that  all  crimynall  facts  ;  and  also  all  matters  of  trespasses  ;  and 
debts  between  man  and  man  should  be  tried,  by  the  verdict  of  twelve 
honest  men,  to  be  impaneled  by  authority,  in  form  of  a  jurie  upon  their 
oathes.' 

15 


170  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

became  absent ely  necessary  for  the  preservation  of 
government.'  It  was  enacted  that  on  the  first  Tues- 
day of  June,  a  governor  and  seven  assistants  should 
be  chosen,  to  '  rule  and  govern  the  plantation  wiihin 
the  limits  of  this  corporation,  and  the  election  was 
restricted  to  the  freemen,  twenty-one  years  of  age,  of 
sober  and  peaceable  conversation,  orthodox  in  the 
fundamentals  of  religion,  having  a  valuable  estate  of 
twenty  pounds.  All  these  qualifications  were  requir- 
ed, before  any  persons  could  be  admitted  to  the  oath 
prescribed  to  be  taken  by  freemen.  In  1G20  up  to 
1624,  there  was  but  one  assistant  to  the  governor,  at 
which  latter  period  the  number  was  increased  to  five, 
and  in  1832  to  seven.  For  further  information  re- 
specting the  powers  and  duties  of  the  government, 
the  reader  is  referred  to  the  Memoir  of  Plymouth  Col- 
ony, to  which  allusion  has  already  been  made. 

In  1638  the  power  which  was  in  the  whole  body  of 
freemen  was  transferred  to  committees  or  deputies 
from  the  several  towns  in  the  Colony,  and  they  as- 
sembled for  the  first  time  in  Plymouth,  June,  1639. 
The  deputies  to  this  assembly  from  the  town  of 
Plymouth  were  William  Paddy,  Manassah  Kempton, 
Jr.,  John  Cook,  Jr.,  and  John  Dunham. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  171 


GOVERNORS  OF  THE  COLONY  OF  PLYM- 
OUTH, FROM  1620  to  1692. 

Nov.  11,  1620,  John  Carver,  four  months  and  24 
days. 

William  Bradford  from  1621  to  1632  —  1635—1637 
1639  to  1643—1645  to  1656,  31  years  in  all. 

Edward  Winslow,  1633,  1636,  1644. 

Thomas  Prince,  1634)  1638,  1657  to  1672. 

Josiah  Winslow  from  1673  to  1680. 

Thomas  Hinkley— 1681  to  1692. 

There  was  no  Lieutenant  Governor  till  1680.  Be- 
fore that  period,  the  governor,  when  obliged  to  be 
absent,  appointed  one  pro  tempore.  Their  names 
were  Thomas  Hinkley,  1680,  James  Cudworth,  1681, 
Major  William  Bradford,  1682  to  1686,  and  1689  to 
1691. 

There  was  no  Secretary  previous  to  1636;  and  the 
records  appear  to  have  been  previously  kept  by  the 
respective  Governors.  The  hand  writing  of  Gov. 
Bradford  is  very  legible,  and  resembles  a  modern 
hand ;  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  Nathaniel 
Sowther  or  Souther. 

The  first  Secretary  was  Nathaniel  Souther,  in 
1636;  the  second,  Nathaniel  Morton,  from  1645  to 
1685;  the  third,  Nathaniel  Thomas,  1686;  the  fourth 
and  last,  Samuel  Sprague,  who,  except  the  interrup- 
tion by  Andros,  continued  till  the  union  of  the 
colonies. 


172  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

The  Treasurers  were  William  Paddy,  in  1636. 
Thomas  Prince,  in  1637.  Timothy  Hatherly,  in  1639. 
Jonathan  Atvvood,  in  1641.  Miles  Standish,  1644  to 
1649.  John  Alden,  3  years.  Constant  Southworth, 
1662  to  1678.     Afterwards  William  Bradford. 

There  was  no  Sheriff  till  1685.  Writs  were 
originally  served  by  an  officer  styled  the  Messenger. 
In  1645  he  was  styled  Marshal,  and  had  the  power 
of  appointing  deputies.  Constables,  however,  were 
chosen  in  each  town,  with  the  power  to  execute 
precepts,  and  collect  rates.  Upon  the  division  into 
Counties  in  1685,  Sheriffs  were  appointed. 

A  Coroner  was  appointed  at  the  beginning  of  the 
Colony,  but  the  office  was  soon  abolished,  and  the 
duty  of  taking  inquisitions  devolved  upon  the  Con- 
stables. 

There  was  no  distinct  office  of  Register  of  deeds, 
or  of  wills  and  inventories,  but  those  duties  were  per- 
formed by  the  Secretary  of  the  Colony. 

In  16S5  the  Colony  was  divided  into  three  Coun- 
ties, namely,  Plymouth,  Barnstable,  and  Bristol. 


PLYMOUTH   COLONY  RECORDS. 

In  the  year  1818,  three  Commissioners,  viz.,  James 
Freeman,  Samuel  Davis  and  Benjamin  R.  Nichols, 
'were  appointed  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  and 
were  authorized  to  cause  the  records  to  be  transcrib- 
ed, and  afterwards  to  return  the  originals  to  the  Reg- 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  173 

ister  of  Deeds'  Office  in  Plymouth,  and  to  deposit  the 
copies  in  the  Office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Common- 
wealth. Full  Indexes  were  made  to  them,  and  the 
volumes  were  interleaved  and  new  bound.  The 
original  charter  of  the  Colony  being  considerably 
defaced,  it  was  repaired  and  placed  in  a  port  folio, 
with  the  seal  of  the  Plymouth  Company  in  England 
annexed  to  it.  The  seal  is  about  four  inches  in 
diameter.  It  was  much  broken,  but  the  parts  were 
carefully  cemented  and  secured  together,  and  inclosed 
in  a  case,  so  that  the  original  impression  may  be 
seen. 

The  records  are  now  arranged  chronologically,  and 
in  such  a  manner  that  the  legislative  proceedings  or 
court  orders  form  six  separate  volumes  ;  the  wills  and 
inventories  four;  deeds  six;  laws  one  ;  acts  of  Com- 
missioners of  United  Colonies  two.  There  is  also 
an  imperfect  volume  of  the  records  of  these  Com- 
missioners, being,  as  is  supposed,  their  original  min- 
utes. There  is  also  one  volume  of  Indian  deeds, 
bound  up  with  the  Treasurer's  accounts,  and  lists 
of  freemen,  and  one  volume  of  actions,  marriages, 
births,  and  deaths,  making  in  the  whole  twenty-two 
volumes  of  original  records. 

The  copies  made  from  the  above,  (deposited  in  the 
Office  of  the  Secretary  of  State,)  form  eleven  folio 
volumes,  and  are  indexed  like  the  originals.  The 
records  of  the  Commissioners  of  the  Unied  Colonies 
were  formerly  transcribed  and  published  by  Ebenezer 
Hazard,  Esq.  They  compose  nearly  the  whole  of 
15* 


174  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

his  second  volume.  This  volume  was  compared  by- 
Mr.  Nichols  with  the  original  records,  and  corrected 
by  him,  and  the  volume  so  corrected,  is  deposited 
widi  the  copies  above  mentioned  in  the  Office  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth.  They  are  kept  in 
a  separate  case  from  the  other  records  of  the  Com- 
monwealth. 

All  the  laws  and  legislative  proceedings  are  copied, 
with  such  parts  of  the  other  records  as  were  thought 
to  be  useful.  The  parts  not  copied  are  most  of  the 
private  deeds,  wills,  and  inventories.  Care  was  taken 
to  preserve  in  the  copies  the  original  paging  and 
orthography. 

The  following  statement  will  give  a  general  view 
of  the  contents  of  the  records  — 

There  is  nothing  recorded  in  1620,  except  a  plan  of 
the  lots  laid  out  at  Plymouth.* 

The  next  records  are  the  allotments  of  land  in 
1623,  t  to  the  passengers  in  the  Mayflower,  Fortune, 
and  Ann,  and  a  law  establishing  the  trial  by  jury. 

In  1627  there  was  a  division  of  the  cattle  among 
the  inhabitants.  $ 

There  are  but  few  other  records  previous  to  1632. 

In  that  year  the  General  Court  of  Plymouth  began 
to  keep  a  regular  journal  of  their  proceedings,  which 
they  continued  to  the  close  of  the  colony,  excepting 
the  years  1687  and  1688,  during  the  government  of 
Sir  Edmund  Andros. 

*  See  page  123.     f  See  page  124.     J  See  page  134. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  175 

In  1636,  a  code  oflaws  was  made  with  a  preamble 
containing  an  account  of  the  settlement  of  the  Colo- 
ny. Other  laws  were  added  at  subsequent  periods, 
and  when  any  of  the  former  were  altered  or  repealed, 
this  was  done  by  making  erasures  and  interlineations, 
instead  of  passing  original  acts.  In  the  copy  now 
made  all  these  erasures  and  interlineations  are  no- 
ticed. In  1658  the  laws  were  revised  and  entered  in 
another  book.  Most  of  them  were  transcribed  from 
the  former  code,  and  the  dates  when  they  were  first 
enacted  inserted  in  the  margin.  Other  laws  were 
inserted  afterward  till  1664,  when  they  appear  to 
have  been  again  revised.  A  third  book  of  laws  w-as 
then  made,  similar  to  the  former.  This  book  contains 
all  the  laws  passed  from  that  time  till  1682. 

The  laws  of  the  colony  thus  existed  in  three  sep- 
arate parts.  They  are  now  bound  together  and 
indexed,  and  a  complete  copy  made  of  them. 

There  was  another  code  made  in  1671,  and  printed. 
The  manuscript  of  this  code  no  longer  exists.  But 
one  of  the  printed  copies  may  be  found  in  the  library 
of  the  Historical  Society,  bound  up  with  the  laws 
of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.  This  code  is 
very  different  from  the  former.  It  contains  some 
new  laws,  and  omits  most  of  those  which  before 
existed. 

From  these  records  a  knowledge  may  be  obtained 
of  all  the  principal  men  who  lived*  in  the  Colony,  of 
the  Governors,  Assistants,  Deputies,  or  Representa- 
tives, Selectmen  of  towns,  and  other  civil  officers, 


176  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

military  officers  and  freemen.  There  are  lists  of  all 
the  freemen  in  the  Colony  at  several  periods,  also 
records  of  marriages,  births,  and  deaths.  The  latter 
records,  however,  are  imperfect. 

Marriages  were  never  solemnized  by  ministers, 
but  magistrates  were  especially  appointed  for  that 
service.  * 


FOREFATHERS   ROCK. 

The  Forefather's  Rock,  so  attractive  to  the  curi- 
osity of  visitors  to  the  Old  Colony,  excepting  that 
part  of  it  which  is  now  enclosed  within  the  railing  in 
front  of  Pilgrim  Hall,  retains  the  same  position  it 
occupied  two  hundred  and  twenty-six  years  ago, 
when  the  founders  of  New  England  first  landed  on 
our  shores,  and  introduced  the  arts  of  civilization,  the 
institutions  of  religion,  civil  government  and  educa- 
tion, upon  the  basis  of  just  and  equal  rights,  which 
from  that  memorable  day  to  the  present  time,  have 
secured  the  general  good  of  the  whole  community,  to 
an  extent  probably  unexampled  in  any  equal  period 
of  human  experience.  This  rock,  as  described  in  the 
Geology  of  Plymouth,  is  an  extremely  hard  variety  of 
scienitic  granite,  of  a  dark  grey  color.  The  mica  is 
in  very  small  quantity,  in  fine  black  particles,  and  the 
rock,  by  its  rounded  edges,  bears  evidence  of  its 

*Tlie  foregoing  account  is  mostly  extracted  from  the  Mass.  His. 
Collection,  vol.  2,  3d  series. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  177 

rolled  character.  This  rock  is  now  in  two  pieces,  each 
piece  about  four  feet  through.  That  part  now  at  the 
water's  side  is  about  six  and  a  half  feet  in  diameter. 
It  is  situated  on  the  south  side  of  the  store  now  occu- 
pied by  Phineas  Wells  at  the  head  of  Hedge's  wharf, 
a  few  feet  only  from  the  same. 

The  stranger  frequently  inquires,  is  this  the  veri- 
table rock  which  first  received  the  Pilgrims?  Happily 
we  are  able  to  answer  his  question  with  perfect  con- 
fidence ;  volumes  of  history  could  not  more  satisfac- 
torily attest  the  truth  of  its  identity,  than  the  vener- 
able and  unquestionable  tradition  on  which  it  rests. 

Besides  the  general  and  undisputed  tradition  which 
designates  it  as  that  on  which  the  fathers  landed,  it 
was  ascertained  to  be  the  same  on  an  interesting 
occasion  in  the  life  of  Elder  Thomas  Faunce,  the  last 
ruling  elder  in  the  first  church  of  Plymouth,  who  was 
born  in  the  year  1646,  and  died  in  the  year  1745,  at 
the  advanced  age  of  ninety-nine  years.  In  the  year 
1741,  the  elder  upon  learning  that  a  wharf  was  about 
to  be  built  near,  or  over  the  rock,  which  up  to  that 
period  had  kept  its  undisturbed  vigils  at  the  water's 
edge,  and  fearing  that  the  march  of  improvement 
might  subject  it  to  injury,  expressed  much  uneasiness. 
Though  residing  three  miles  from  the  village  of 
Plymouth,  and  then  in  declining  health,  he  left  home, 
and  in  the  presence  of  many  citizens,  pointed  out 
the  rock  we  have  described  as  being  that  on  which 
the  Pilgrims  with  whom  he  was  cotemporan 
well  acquainted,  had  uniformly  declared  to  *\Sg 


178  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

same  on  which  they  landed  in  1620.  Upon  this 
Occasion  this  venerable  and  excellent  man  took  a 
final  leave  of  this  cherished  memorial  of  the  fathers. 
The  circumstances  above  related,  were  frequently 
mentioned  by  the  late  Hon.  Ephraim  Spooner  de- 
ceased, who  was  present  upon  the  occasion  connect- 
ed with  Elder  Faunce.  He  was  deacon  of  the 
Church  of  Plymouth  forty-one  years,  and  fifty-two 
years  town  clerk,  and  died  March,  1818,  aged  eighty- 
three  years.  The  same  information  was  communi- 
cated by  Mrs.  Joanna  White,  widow  of  Gideon 
White,  deceased,  who  was  intimately  acquainted  in 
the  family  of  Elder  Faunce.  She  died  in  1810,  aged 
ninety-five  years.  And  the  same  account  has  been 
transmitted  by  other  aged  persons,  now  deceased, 
within  the  recollection  of  many  now  living. 

On  the  anniversary  celebration  of  the  landing  of 
the  fathers  in  1817,  the  late  Rev.  Horace  Holly, 
deceased,  delivered  the  customary  address,  and  upon 
the  morning  of  that  day  had  some  hours  conversation 
with  deacon  Spooner,  above  mentioned,  in  relation  to 
early  times,  and  among  other  interesting  reminiscen- 
ces learnt  from  him  the  incidents  above  narrated. 
Deacon  Spooner  had  for  many  years  been  accustomed 
to  read  the  hymn  '  Hail  Pilgrims,'  line  by  line 
according  to  an  old  practice  of  the  church,  in  primi- 
tive times,  and  upon  this  occasion  officiated  for  the 
last  time.  Mr.  Holly  inspired  by  his  theme  and  the 
interview,  in  the  course  of  his  eloquent  address,  hap- 
pily observed,  ■  our  venerable  friend  knew  and  con- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  179 

versed  with  Elder  Faunce,  who  personally  knew  the 
first  settlers,  so  Polycarp  conversed  witli  St.  John  the 
beloved  disciple  of  our  Savior.' 

In  the  year  1774,  some  ardent  whigs,  to  render 
available  the  patriotic  associations  connected  with 
the  rock,  undertook  its  removal  to  the  town  square, 
with  the  intention  to  place  over  it  a  liberty  pole,  as 
an  excitement  to  vigorous  efforts  in  the  approaching 
revolutionary  struggle,  and  to  quicken  the  zeal  of 
such  persons  as  hesitated  to  join  the  standard  of 
independence.  In  this  attempt  at  removal,  the  rock 
split  asunder,  which  excited,  as  tradition  avers,  great 
surprise  among  the  citizens  present,  and  by  some  was 
construed  into  a  favorable  omen,  indicating  the  final 
separation  of  the  colonies  from  the  mother  country. 
This  unexpected  accident  led  to  some  hesitation 
among  the  excited  group  assembled,  and  the  conclu- 
sion was  to  lower  the  under  part  of  the  rock  into  its 
original  bed,  from  which  it  had  been  elevated,  and  the 
other  part  was  taken  by  twenty  yoke  of  oxen  to  the 
public  square,  and  honored  with  the  far-famed  liberty 
pole,  upon  which  an  appropriate  effusion  of  some 
patriotic  son  of  liberty  was  placed,  to  rouse  the 
passing  citizen  to  greater  ardor  in  the  cause  of  his 
country. 

These  circumstances,  in  connection  with  the  in- 
creasing curiosity  of  visitors,  each  of  whom  sought  a 
small  fragment,  if  no  more,  have  sensibly  diminished 
the  size  of  the  rock,  rendering  it  necessary  to  prevent 
such  depredations  in  future,  lest  the  'first  stepping 


180  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

stone  to  those  who  should  come  after/  might  at  last 
fail  of  a  '  local  habitation  and  a  name.'  These  consid- 
erations, it  is  hoped,  may  in  some  degree  relieve  the 
disappointment  occasionally  expressed  by  strangers, 
on  first  viewing  this  rock.  It  should  further  be  recol- 
lected that  a  mammoth  rock  of  granite  would  have 
been  inconvenient  for  the  purpose  of  landing  —  partic- 
ularly to  the  women  and  children  who  shared  in  the 
glorious  event.  It  is  gratifying  to  announce,  that  a 
public  Town  Meeting  was  recently  held,  at  which  it 
was  voted  to  convey  sufficient  land  to  certain  individ- 
uals, for  the  purpose  of  removing  the  store  of  Mr. 
Hedge,  northward  and  eastward,  leaving  room  to  erect 
a  suitable  monument  near  the  Rock,  and  to  enclose 
the  same  with  an  iron  railing,  reserving  sufficient 
land  for  an  unincumbered  walk  round  it.  It  has  long 
been  a  subject  of  regret,  that  this  memorial  of  the 
Landing  has  remained  in  its  present  situation,  and 
there  can  be  no  doubt,  that  New  England  will 
cheerfully  bestow  the  moderate  sum  required  for  an 
appropriate  monument.  On  the  fourth  of  July,  1834, 
that  part  of  the  rock  which  had  been  taken  to  the 
town  square,  was  removed  and  placed  in  front  of 
Pilgrim  Hall,  enclosed  within  an  iron  railing  prepared 
for  its  reception,  on  which  is  inscribed  the  names  of 
the  forty-one  individuals  who  subscribed  the  Com- 
pact on  board  the  Mayflower,  at  Cape  Cod  harbor, 
Nov.  11,  1620. 

The   honor  of  first  stepping  upon  the  Rock  is 
claimed  by  the  descendants  of  Mary  Chilton  in  her 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  181 

behalf,  and  also  by  those  of  John  Alclen  in  his  favor 
—  resting  upon  tradition  in  both  families.  It  is 
evident  that  neither  of  them  had  the  honor  of  first 
landing  upon  it.  This  occurred  on  the  11th  of  Nov. 
1620,  old  style,  corresponding  to  Dec.  21st  new  style, 
when  the  shallop  of  the  Mayflower  having  left  on 
the  6th  of  December  the  harbor  of  Cape  Cod,  coast- 
ed along  the  shore  and  was  finally  driven  by  storm 
into  Plymouth  and  found  shelter  at  Clark's  Island, 
She  had  then  on  board  ten  of  the  pilgrims,  besides 
eighteen  seamen-,  and  their  names  are  all  mentioned 
in  history,  but  the  name  of  John  Alden  is  not  named 
as  one  of  them.  The  Mayflower  arrived  and  an- 
chored about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  town, 
between  Clark's  Island  and  beach  point.  When  the 
passengers  went  on  shore,  in  the  ship's  boat,  it  is  not 
improbable  that  some  rivalship  occurred  between 
Mary  Chilton  and  John  Alden  as  to  which  should 
first  land  on  the  Rock:  and  the  young  gallant  doubt- 
less yielded  his  claim  to  the  lady  —  as  might  be 
expected  of  the  modest  youth,  who  afterwards  became 
the  favored  choice  of  Priscilla  Mullins.*  The  conclu- 
sion, therefore,  of  the  late   Samuel  Davis,  Esq.,  may 

*  Tradition  states,  that  Captain  Standish,  after  the  death  of  his 
wife,  proposed  a  matrimonial  alliance  with  Miss  Mullins,  the  daughter 
of  William  Mullins,  and  that  John  Alden  was  engaged  as  the  messen- 
ger to  announce  his  wishes.  But  the  lady,  it  seems,  not  so  much 
enamored  with  the  military  renown  of  Standish  as  by  the  engaging 
address  of  the  youthful  advocate,  dexterously  hinted  her  opinion  to 
that  effect,  by  which  course  an  end  was  put  to  all  hope  on  the  part  of 
the  distinguished  military  leader  of  the  pilgrim*. 
16 


182  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

be  safely  adopted,  when  he  says,  '  We  are  disposed 
however  to  generalize  the  anecdote.  The  first 
generation  doubtless  knew  who  came  on  shore  in 
the  first  boats;  the  second  generation  related  it  with 
less  identity;  the  fourth  with  still  less  :  like  the  stone 
thrown  on  the  calm  lake,  the  circles  well  defined  at 
first,  become  fainter  as  they  recede.  For  the  purpose 
of  the  arts  however,  a  female  figure,  typical  of  faith, 
hope  and  charity,  is  well  adapted.' 

The  late  Dr.  Dwight,  president  of  Yale  College, 
who  visited  Plymouth  in  the  year  1800,  expresses 
himself  respecting  the  Hock  in  the  following  manner: 
1  No  New  Englander  who  is  willing  to  indulge  his 
native  feelings,  can  stand  upon  the  Rock,  where  our 
ancestors  set  the  first  foot  after  their  arrival  on  the 
American  shore,  without  experiencing  emotions  very 
different  from  those  which  are  excited  by  any  com- 
mon object  of  the  same  nature.  No  New  Englander 
could  be  willing  to  have  that  Rock  buried  and  forgot- 
ten. Let  him  reason  as  much,  as  coldly,  and  ingeni- 
ously as  he  pleases,  he  will  still  regard  that  spot  with 
emotions  wholly  different  from  those  excited  by  other 
places  of  equal  or  greater  importance.' 

* '  This  Rock  has  become  an  object  of  veneration  in 
the  United  States.  I  have  seen  bits  of  it  carefully 
preserved  in  several  towns  of  the  Union.  Does  not 
this  sufficiently  show  that  all  human  power  and 
greatness  is  in  the  soul  of  man?     Here  is  a  stone 

*  De  Tocqueville's  Work  on  America. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  183 

which  the  feet  of  a  few  outcasts  pressed  for  an  in- 
stant; and  the  stone  becomes  famous;  it  is  treasured 
by  a  great  nation  ;  its  very  dust  is  shared  as  a  relic. 
And  what  has  become  of  the  gateways  of  a  thousand 
palaces?     Who  cares  for  them?' 

#<  Beneath  us  is  the  Rock,  on  which  New  England 
received  the  feet  of  the  Pilgrims.  We  seem  even  to 
behold  them,  as  they  struggle  with  the  elements,  and 
with  toilsome  efforts  gain  the  shore.  We  listen  to 
the  chiefs  in  council ;  we  see  the  unexampled  exhi- 
bition of  female  fortitude  and  resignation ;  we  hear 
the  whisperings  of  youthful  impatience,  and  we  see, 
what  a  painter  of  our  own  has  also  represented  by 
his  pencil,  chilled  and  shivering  childhood,  house- 
less but  for  a  mother's  arms,  couchless,  but  for  a 
mother's  breast,  till  our  own  blood  almost  freezes. 
The  mild  dignity  of  Carver  and  of  Bradford  ;  the 
decisive  and  soldier-like  air  of  Standish  ;  the  devout 
Brewster;  the  enterprising  Allerton  ;  the  general 
firmness  and  thoughtfulness  of  the  whole  band; 
their  conscious  joy  for  dangers  escaped ;  their  deep 
solicitude  about  dangers  to  come;  their  trust  in 
heaven  ;  their  high  religious  faith,  full  of  confidence 
and  anticipation:  —  all  these  seem  to  belong  to  this 
place  and  to  be  present  upon  this  occasion,  to  fill  us 
with  reverence  and  admiration.' 

*  Webster's  Centennial  Address,  Dec.  22, 1820. 


184  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


THE  SHIP  MAYFLOWER. 

Nobly  the  Mayflower  bows, 
While  the  dark  wave  she  ploughs, 

On  1o  the  west ; 
Till  from  the  tempest's  shock, 
Proudly  she  lands  her  flock, 
Where  on  old  Plymouth- Rock 

Freedom  found  rest. 

The  progress  of  time,  and  the  course  of  human 
events,  have  contributed  to  invest  the  fortunes  of  the 
Mayflower  with  the  deepest  interest,  and  to  confer 
upon  this  once  peaceful  herald  of  freedom  to  our 
shores,  a  celebrity  achieved  perhaps,  by  no  other 
vessel  known  to  the  annals  of  maratime  enterprise. 

Her  first  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  was  com- 
menced under  circumstances  of  obscurity  hardly 
attracting  the  curiosity  of  the  passing  world,  by  men 
who  had  long  endured  the  merciless  inflictions  of  a 
persecuting  age,  and  who  might  well  have  deemed  it 
a  privilege  to  escape  the  notoriety  which  would  have 
exposed  them  to  the  contempt  of  those  who  dis- 
pensed the  thunders  of  hierarchal  power.  High  and 
holy  as  were  their  aspirations  after  righteousness, 
truth,  and  freedom,  the  most  vivid  imagination  among 
them,  could  not  even  have  dreamt  of  the  conse- 
quences involved  in  the  vast  work  which  they  were 
about  commencing  in  the  world's  reformation. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  185 

They  little  thought  how  pure  a  light, 
With  years,  should  gather  round  that  day; 
How  love  should  keep  their  memories  bright, 
How  wide  a  realm  their  sons  should  sway. 

But  results  have  followed  in  the  wake  of  the 
Mayflower,  auspiciously  affecting  the  condition  of 
millions;  results,  which  if  the  past  afford  any  just 
indications  of  the  future,  present  but  faint  glimpses 
only  of  what  are  destined  to  appear  in  ages  to  come. 

The  Mayflower,  of  180  tons  burthen,  Capt.  Jones, 
was  chartered  by  the  merchant  adventurers,  of  Lon- 
don, to  transport  a  part  of  the  Ley  den  Church  to 
America — the  Speedwell  having  been  procured  in 
Holland,  for  the  same  purpose.  The  terms  and 
arrangements  prior  to  her  leaving  England,  and  the 
incidents  connected  with  her  eventful  voyage,  will 
be  found  in  detail  in  the  5th  Chapter  of  this  work, 
page  39.  She  sailed  from  Southampton,  August  5th, 
1620  ;  discovered  Cape  Cod  on  the  9th,  and  anchored 
there  on  the  eleventh  of  November,  having  been 
ninety-eight  days  on  the  voyage.  During  the  pas- 
sage, a  child  was  born  named  Oceanus,  the  son  of 
Stephen  Hopkins ;  and  the  only  death  was  on  the 
6th  of  November,  that  of  William  Button,  a  youth, 
and  servant  of  Dr.  Samuel  Fuller.  On  the  7th  of 
December,  Dorothy,  the  wife  of  Governor  William 
Bradford,  fell  overboard  and  was  drowned.  On  the 
fourth  of  December,  Edward  Thompson,  the  servant 
of  William  White,  died.  About  the  last  of  November, 
Peregrine,  the  son  of  William  White  was  born.  The 
16* 


186  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Mayflower,  after  remaining  thirty-four  days,  left  Cape 
Cod  harbor  on  the  loth  of  December,  and  anchored 
Saturday  the  lGth,  in  Plymouth  harbor,  about  one 
and  a  half  miles  from  town,  between  Clark's  Island 
and  beach  point.  Here  she  remained  during  the 
winter,  and  afforded  partial  accommodations  to  the 
settlers,  while  preparing  their  houses  on  shore.  In 
the  spring,  as  Secretary  Morton  observes,  '  They  now 
began  to  hasten  the  ship  away,  which  tarried  so  long 
by  reason  of  the  necessity  and  danger  that  lay  on 
them,  because  so  many  died,  both  of  themselves  and 
the  ship's  company  likewise,  by  which  they  became 
so  few  as  the  master  durst  not  put  to  sea  until  those 
that  lived  recovered  of  their  sickness,  and  the  winter 
was  over.'  She  sailed  on  the  5th  of  April,  1621, 
having  been  in  Plymouth  harbor  one  hundred  and 
ten  days,  and  arrived  at  London  on  the  6th  of  May,  a 
short  passage  compared  with  the  previous  one,  so 
full  of  delays,  accidents,  and  dangers. 

It  was  on  board  this  ship,  that  the  celebrated  com- 
pact was  signed  by  forty-one  individuals.  The  last 
survivors  of  the  Mayflower  who  signed  the  compact, 
were  John  Howland,  who  died  in  1672,  aged  eighty 
years,  and  John  Alden,  who  died  1686,  aged  89. 
Mary,  the  daughter  of  Isaac  Allerton,  and  the  wife  of 
Elder  Thomas  Cushman,  the  son  of  Robert  Cush- 
man,  died  in  1699  aged  90  and  was  the  last  of  the 
one  hundred  passengers  who  arrived  at  Cape  Cod 
harbor. 

Mr.  Savage  observes,  in  a  note  to  his  invaluable 
edition  of  Winthrop's  History  of  New  England,  '  that 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  187 

the  principal  vessels  which  brought  our  fathers  hither, 
are  remembered  by  their  descendants  with  no  small 
degree  of  affection.  The  Mayflower  had  been  a 
name  of  renown,  without  forming  a  part  of  this  fleet* 
because  in  her  came  the  devoted  planters  of  Plym- 
outh, and  she  had  also  brought  in  the  year  preceding 
this,  some  of  Higinson's  companions  to  Salem.'  It 
thus  appears  that  Plymouth,  Salem,  and  Boston,  have 
a  direct  and  peculiar  interest  in  all  that  pertains  to 
the  successful  history  and  fortunes  of  this  vessel, 
which  aided  in  transferring  so  many  individuals  from 
England  to  America. 

Thomas  Carlyle  observes  in  his  recent  work, 
1  Look  now  at  American  Saxondom,  and  at  that  little 
fact  of  the  sailing  of  the  Mayflower,  two  hundred 
years  ago.  It  was  properly  the  beginning  of  America. 
There  were  straggling  settlers  in  America  before ; 
some  material  as  of  a  body  was  there  ;  but  the  soul 
of  it  was  this.  These  poor  men,  driven  out  of  their 
own  country,  and  not  able  to  live  in  Holland,  deter- 
mined on  settling  in  the  new  world.  Black  untamed 
forests  are  there,  and  wild  savage  creatures ;  but  not 
so  cruel  as  a  star  chamber  hangman.  They  clubbed 
their  small  means  together,  hired  a  ship,  the  little 
ship  Mayflower,  and  made  ready  to  set  sail.  Hah  ! 
These  men,  I  think,  had  a  work.  The  weak  thing, 
weaker  than  a  child,  becomes  strong,  if  it  be  a  true 
thing.  Puritanism  was  only  despicable,  laughable, 
then ;  but  no  body  can  manage  to  laugh  at  it  now. 

*  The  fleet  that  brought  over  Gov.  Winthrop  and  his  colony. 


188  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

It  is  one  of  the  strongest  things  under  the  sun  at 
present.' 

With  the  following  inimitable  description  of  the 
Mayflower,  on  approaching  the  New  England  coast, 
we  close  this  chapter. 

# '  Methinks  I  see  it  now,  that  one  solitary,  adven- 
turous vessel,  the  Mayflower  of  a  forlorn  hope, 
freighted  with  the  prospects  of  a  future  state,  and 
bound  across  the  unknown  sea.  I  behold  it  pursuing, 
with  a  thousand  misgivings,  the  uncertain,  the 
tedious  voyage.  Suns  rise  and  set,  and  weeks  and 
months  pass,  and  winter  surprises  them  on  the  deep, 
but  brings  them  not  the  sight  of  the  wished  for 
shore.  I  see  them  now  scantily  supplied  with  pro- 
visions, crowded  almost  to  suffocation  in  their  illstored 
prison,  delayed  by  calms,  pursuing  a  circuitous 
route;  —  and  now  driven  in  fury  before  the  raging- 
tempest,  on  the  high  and  giddy  waves.  The  awful 
voice  of  the  storm  howls  through  the  rigging.  The 
laboring  masts  seem  straining  from  their  base ;  — 
the  dismal  sound  of  the  pumps  is  heard;  —  the  ship 
leaps,  as  it  were,  madly,  from  billow  to  billow;  —  the 
ocean  breaks,  and  settles  with  engulphing  floods 
over  the  floating  deck,  and  beats  with  deadening, 
shivering  weight,  against  the  staggered  vessel.  I 
see  them,  escaped  from  these  perils,  pursuing  their 
all  but  desperate  undertaking,  and  landed  at  last, 
after  a  five  months  passage,  on  the  ice  clad  rocks  of 
Plymouth, — weak  and  weary  from  the  voyage, — 
poorly  armed,  scantily  provisioned,  depending  on  the 

*  Edward  Everett. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  189 

charity  of  (heir  ship-master  for  a  draught  of  beer  on 
board,  drinking  nothing  but  water  on  shore, —  with- 
out shelter,  —  without  means,  —  surrounded  by  hos- 
tile tribes.  Shut  now  the  volume  of  history,  and  tell 
me,  on  any  principle  of  human  probability,  whta 
shall  be  the  fate  of  this  handful  of  adventurers* 
Tell  me,  man  of  military  science,  in  how  many 
months  were  they  all  swept  off  by  the  thirty  savage 
tribes,  enumerated  within  the  early  limits  of  New 
England?  Tell  me,  politician,  how  long  did  this 
shadow  of  a  colony,  on  which  your  conventions  and 
treaties  had  not  smiled,  languish  on  the  distant 
coast?  Student  of  history,  compare  for  me  the 
baffled  projects,  the  deserted  settlements,  the  aban- 
doned adventures  of  other  times,  and  find  the  parallel 
of  this.  Was  it  the  winter's  storm,  beating  upon  the 
houseless  heads  of  women  and  children ;  was  it  hard 
labor  and  spare  meals;  was  it  disease;  was  it  the 
tomahawk ;  was  it  the  deep  malady  of  a  blighted 
hope,  a  ruined  enterprise,  and  a  broken  heart,  aching 
in  its  last  moments,  at  the  recollection  of  the  loved 
and  left,  beyond  the  sea ;  was  it  some,  or  all  of  these 
united,  that  hurried  this  forsaken  company  to  their 
melancholy  fate?  And  is  it  possible  that  neither  of 
these  causes,  that  not  all  combined,  were  able  to 
blast  this  bud  of  hope  ?  Is  it  possible,  that  from  a 
beginning  so  feeble,  so  frail,  so  worthy,  not  so  much 
of  admiration  as  of  pity,  there  has  gone  forth  a  pro- 
gress so  steady,  a  growth  so  wonderful,  an  expansion 
so  ample,  a  reality  so  important,  a  promise,  yet  to  be 
fulfilled,  so  glorious?' 


190  GUIDE  TO  PLYMOUTH,  AND 


LEYDEN  STREET  and  TOWN  SQUARE. 

This  street  received  its  present  name  in  the  year 
1823,  in  grateful  remembrance  of  the  hospitality  and 
kindness,  shown  to  the  pilgrims  during  their  residence 
of  eleven  years  in  the  city  of  Leyden. 

It  was  originally  named  First  street,  and  afterwards 
is  in  the  records,  sometimes  called  Great,  and  Broad 
street. 

Among  the  principal  considerations  which  deter- 
mined the  fathers  of  New  England,  to  settle  in 
Plymouth,  was  its  favorable  position  for  defence 
against  the  aborigines,  and  the  excellent  springs  of 
pure  water  which  abound  along  its  shores,  and  the 
precipitous  banks  of  town  brook.  The  tide  flowed 
for  some  distance  up  this  stream,  and  formed  a  con- 
venient basin  for  the  reception  and  safe  shelter,  of 
the  shallops  and  other  vessels  employed  in  their 
early  enterprises  of  fishing  and  traffic.  It  may  in 
some  measure  be  owing  to  this  circumstance,  that 
convenient  wharves  along  the  unprotected  shores 
were  not  sooner  constructed. 

This  stream  proceeds  from  Billington  sea,  which 
is  about  two  miles  distant  from  town.  It  furnishes 
a  valuable  water  power  in  modern  times,  and  in  the 
days  of  the  pilgrims  and  for  nearly  two  centuries 
after  it  abounded  with  alewives,  almost  at  their 
doors,  affording  an  important  resource  for  the  supply 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  191 

of  their  wants.  On  the  banks  and  vicinity  of  this 
stream,  they  constructed  their  humble  dwellings, 
and  spent  the  first  winter  after  their  arrival,  and 
experienced  the  keenest  sufferings  and  sharpest 
trials.  Had  not  their  voyage  across  the  Atlantic 
been  treacherously  delayed,  and  protracted  to  an 
unusual  length,  they  would  doubtless  have  arrived 
in  season  to  secure  a  shelter  before  the  advance  of 
winter. 

They  first  constructed  a  frame  building,  twenty 
feet  square,  for  their  common  house,  and  soon  after 
other  buildings  for  their  stores  and  provisions.  It 
stood  partly  on  the  lot  occupied  by  the  dwelling 
house  of  Capt.  Samuel  D.  Holmes,  on  the  south  side 
of  Leyden  street,  near  the  declivity  of  the  hill 
towards  the  water  side.  In  the  year  1801,  when 
some  men  were  digging  a  cellar  on  this*spot,  several 
tools  and  a  plate  of  iron  were  discovered,  seven  feet 
below  the  surface  of  the  earth,  which  were  carefully 
preserved  and  highly  valued,  by  the  late  Isaac 
Lathrop  Esq.  who  died  in  1808,  whose  cherished 
veneration  for  the  fathers  will  be  long  remembered 
by  our  citizens. 

On  the  28th  of  December  in  the  afternoon,  they 
measured  out  their  grounds,  intending  to  build  two 
rows  of  houses  on  each  side  of  the  street  commenc- 
ing in  town  square,  by  which  arrangement  they 
might  the  better  find  protection  from  the  fortification 
above,  on  the  burying  hill.  On  reference  to  page  62, 
the  reader  will  find  a  detailed  account  of  their  pro- 


192  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

ceedings,  and  on  p^ge  123  an  imperfect  plan  of  their 
lots.  The  whole  company  was  divided  into  19 
families,  averaging  nearly  six  to  a  family;  and  the 
lots  were  assigned  allowing  8  1-4  feet  to  each  per- 
son.* Edward  Winslow  in  his  letter  of  Dec.  11th, 
1621,  which  may  be  found  page  94,  writes, '  We  have 
built  seven  dwelling-houses,  and  four  for  the  use  of 
the  plantation.'  These  seven  houses  were  doubtless 
built  on  the  seven  lots  indicated  on  the  plan  above 
referred  to,  and  four  of  them  probably  occupied  the 
ground  on  or  above  where  the  town  house  now 
stands,  and  the  other  three  commencing  at  the 
opposite  corner,  extended  towards  the  common 
house 

On  the  14th  of  January  those  on  board  the  ship 
proposed  going  on  shore  to  join  their  brethren  in 
keeping  the  first  sabbath.  At  6  o'clock  in  the  morn- 
ing however,  they  observed  the  common  house  on 
fire,  but  on  account  of  low  water  could  render  no  aid 
till  three-fourths  of  an  hour  afterwards.  The  thatch 
with  which  the  roof  was  covered  caught  from  a  spark, 
and  instantly  burnt  up,  but  the  building  was  saved. 
Carver  and  Bradford  were  sick  at  the  time,  and  the 
room  was  crowded  with  beds,  loaded  muskets  and 

*  Dr.  Young  in  his  Chronicles,  in  a  note,  page  170,  says,  the  single 
lots  were  8  1-4  feet  front,  and  49  1-2  feet  in  depth.  This  appears 
erroneous,  and  assumes  for  a  whole  family  what  was  the  portion  of  a 
single  person  in  the  family.  The  dimensions  of  the  lots,  each  person 
being  allowed  one-half  a  pole,  would  be  from  2  1-2  to  3  rods  in  front 
and  three  rods  in  depth,  for  sufficient  gardens,  according  to  the  size 
of  each  family. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  193 

powder,  but  they  happily  escaped  without  personal 
injury,  though  not  without  pecuniary  loss. 

Of'  the  100  persons  who  came  in  the  Mayflower,  a 
large  portion  soon  died,  from  the  exhaustion  and 
disease  occasioned  by  their  explorations  at  Cape 
Cod,  and  the  severe  labors  required  to  provide  a 
shelter.  Had  not  the  winter  of  1620  been  one  of 
unusual  mildness,  a  careful  examination  of  all  the 
circumstances  of  their  condition  at  that  period,  au- 
thorizes the  conclusion,  that  not  a  solitary  individual 
would  have  survived  to  recount  the  melancholy  story 
of  an  untimely  fate. 

The  following  is  a  bill  of  mortality  preserved  by 
Prince,  from  the  manuscripts  of  Gov.  Bradford  : 

Deaths  in  December .6 

"        in  January, 8 

"       in  February, 17 

in  March, 13 

Total, 44 

Of  this  number  (their  names  may  be  found 
on  page  46)  twenty-one  were  subscribers 
to  the  Compact, 21 

Dorothy,  wife  of  Bradford,  Eose,  wife  of 
Standish,  Mary,  wife  of  Alleiton,  and  Su- 
sanna, wife  of  Winslow,    .        .        .        .4 

Also  Edward  Thompson,  the  servant  of 
17 


194  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

William  White,   Jasper  Carver,  the  son  of 
Gov.   Carver,    and    Solomon,   the   son   of 

Christopher  Martin, 3 

Other  women,  children  and  servants,  whose 
names  are  not  known,         .         .         .         .16 

44 
To  the  above  should  be  added  six  more,  in- 
cluding Gov.  Carver  and  his  wife,  who  died 
before  the  Fortune  arrived,  in  Nov.  1621,     6 

50 

At  this  time  therefore,  there  were  only  50  sur- 
vivors. 

Of  those  not  named  among  the  survivors,  young 
men,  women,  children  and  servants,  there  were  31. 
Of  these,  as  may  be  seen  in  the  division  of  lands  in 
1623,  were  Joseph  Rogers,  son  of  Thomas  Rogers, 
Mary  Chilton,  daughter  of  James  Chilton,  Henry 
Samson  and  Humility  Cooper.  The  names  of  the 
surviving  19  who  subscribed  the  Compact  may  be 
found  on  reference  to  page  46.  An  alarm  occurred 
in  July,  1621,  occasioned  by  a  rumor  of  hostile  in- 
tentions on  the  part  of  the  Narragansett  Indians, 
and  only  nine  men  were  in  Plymouth,  while  the  rest 
were  on  an  expedition  to  Nauset  (Cape  Cod.)  How 
small  a  number  to  meet  the  emergencies  of  that 
period! 

In  the  Common-house,  according  to  tradition  re- 
ceived  from  an    aged  relative    by  the  late   Isaac 


RECOLLECTIONS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  195 

alhrop,  Esq.  who  died  in  1808,  as  mentioned  by 
Judge  Davis  in  a  note  to  the  N.  E.  Memorial,  the 
celebrated  sermon  of  Robert  Cushman  was  deliv- 
ered, some  time  in  the  month  of  November  or  De- 
cember 1621.  In  this  sermon  he  enforced  with  great 
earnestness  the  importance  of  self  denial,  and  pointed 
out  the  special  duties  devolving  on  those  who  under- 
take the  settlement  of  new  countries. 

Early  in  the  morning,  March  16th,  Samoset,  an 
Indian  *  Sagamore,  a  native  of  the  eastern  country, 
crossing  town  brook,  where  the  arched  bridge  is,  '  he 
very  boldly  came  all  alone  and  along  the  houses, 
straight  to  the  Rendesvous.'  He  doubtless  passed 
the  houses  then  building  at  the  corner  of  Leyden  and 
Market  streets,  passing  on  to  the  Common-house. 
The  reader  is  here  referred  to  page  72  for  a  minute 
description  of  Samoset  and  the  information  he 
imparted. 

On  the  22d,  Massasoit  the  Indian  chief  appeared 
on  the  top  of  Watson's  Hill  with  his  train  of  60  men 
and  Quadaquina  his  brother.  The  occurrences  of 
the  interesting  interview  which  followed  are  mi- 
nutely detailed  on  page  77,  to  which  the  reader  is 
referred.  The  first  New  England  treaty  was  here 
concluded  in  one  of  the  houses,  '  then  in  building,' 
which  was  kept  inviolate  by  both  parties  for  more 


*  Samoset  was  probably  from  the  eastern  country  —  somewhere 
in  the  region  of  Penobscot.  After  the  treaty  with  Massasoit  no  men- 
tion of  him  occurs  in  history. 


196  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

than  50  years ;  an  honorable  evidence  of  the  upright 
purposes  and  just  dealings  of  our  fathers,  towards  the 
Indian  race,  which  deserves  to  be  held  in  everlasting 
remembrance  by  their  posterity. 

The  first  parsonage  house  was  built  in  this  street, 
and  stood  east  of  the  present  one,  embracing  the  lots 
on  which  now  stand  the  houses  of  the  late  Barnabas 
Churchill  and  James  Bartlett.  The  lot,  half  an  acre, 
on  which  the  present  parsonage  house  stands,  was 
given  March  1,  1G64,  to  the  first  church,  by  Mrs. 
Bridget  Fuller  and  Samuel  Fuller,  the  excellent 
widow  and  son  of  Samuel  Fuller,  who  came  in  the 
Mayflower  in  1630,  and  died  in  1633.  It  is  now 
occupied  by  Dr.  James  Kendall,  senior  pastor  of  the 
first  church,  who  was  settled  in  the  ministry,  January 
1st,  1800,  and  is  now  in  the  77th  year  of  his  age. 

The  following  vivid  delineation  of  the  scene  of 
suffering  which  occurred  among  the  Pilgrims  during 
the  first  winter,  is  from  the  same  pen  to  which  the 
reader's  attention  has  before  been  invited.  The 
author  after  referring  to  the  heroic  achievements  of 
Theremopyla?,  thus  proceeds  : 

1  And  yet  do  you  not  think,  that  whoso  could,  by 
adequate  description,  bring  before  you  that  winter 
of  the  pilgrims,  its  brief  sunshine,  the  nights  of 
storms  slow  waning ;  the  damp  and  icy  breath,  felt 
to  the  pillow  of  the  dying,  its  destitutions,  its  con- 
trasts with  all  their  former  experience  in  life,  its  utter 
insulation  and  loneliness,  its  death  beds  and  burials ; 
its  memories ;  its  hopes ;  the  consultations  of  the 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  197 

prudent;  the  prayers  of  the  pious;  the  occasional 
cheerful  hymn,  in  which  the  heart  threw  off  its 
burthen,  and  asserting  its  unvanquished  nature,  went 
up  to  the  skies — do  ye  not  think  that  whoso  would 
describe  them,  calmly  waiting  in  that  defile,  lonelier 
and  darker  than  Thermopylae,  for  a  morning  that 
might  never  dawn,  or  might  show  them  when  it  did, 
a  mightier  arm  than  a  Persian,  raised  in  act  to  strike, 
would  he  not  sketch  a  scene  of  more  difficult  and 
rare  heroism?  A  scene  as  Wadsworth  has  said, 
'melancholy,  yea  dismal,  yet  consolatory  and  full  of 
joy;  a  scene  even  better  fitted,  to  succor,  to  exalt,  to 
lead  the  forlorn  hopes  of  all  great  causes  till  time 
shall  be  no  more!'  ' 

Town  Square.  This  first  house  of  public  wor- 
ship, was  built  in  this  place.  History  affords  nothing 
definite  respecting  a  place  of  public  worship  in 
Plymouth,  previous  to  1622,  though  from  incidental 
hints,  it  may  be  inferred,  that  the  common  house  was 
used  for  that  purpose.  In  1622  a  fort  was  erected 
on  the  hill,  and  so  constructed  as  to  combine  both 
the  means  of  defence  and  accommodations  for  public 
worship,  as  is  particularly  mentioned  by  the  early 
historians. 

In  the  year  1837,  one  of  the  planters  gave  by  will 
■  somewhat,'  to  '  Plymouth  meeting  house.'  Richard 
Church,  the  father  of  Col.  Church,  and  John  Tomson, 
who  afterward  settled  in  Middleborough,  were  the 
architects,  and  Capt.  Thomas  Willet,  was  one  of 
17* 


198  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

the  contracting  committee,  as  appears  from  a  suit  of 
law  recorded  in  1662,  which  has  reference  to  them 
as  such.  That  it  stood  on  the  north  side  of  Town 
Square,  is  clearly  inferred,  from  the  fact  that  in  1G96, 
William  Bradford,  son  of  the  Governor,  sold  land 
there  situated,  which  is  alluded  to  as  the  spot  where 
the  old  meeting  house  stood.  This,  observes  the  late 
Samuel  Davis,  Esq.,  who  possessed  every  advantage 
for  accurate  information  on  the  subject,  *  this  is  all 
the  description  we  shall'ever  probably  obtain,  of  this 
ancient  sanctuary  where  a  Reynor.  and  a  Cotton, 
broke  the  bread  of  life,  where  a  Brewster  and  a  Cush- 
man  ruled  in  holy  things.'  It  had  a  bell,  but  no  di- 
mensions are  on  record. 

This  house  was  taken  down  in  1683,  when  another 
was  built.  It  stood,  not  upon  the  old  lot,  but  at  the 
head  of  Town  Square,  the  front  of  it  was  consider- 
ably lower  down  the  square,  than  the  present  church, 
It  was  45  feet  by  40. 

There  is  a  drawing  of  this  church  extant,  made  by 
the  late  Samuel  Davis,  from  the  dimensions  given 
in  the  records,  and  from  information  otherwise  ob- 
tained, which  is  doubtless  a  correct  representation. 

In  1744.  A  third  house  was  erected,  on  and  near 
the  same  spot  of  the  former,  being  71  feet  10  inches 
in  front,  and  67  feet  8  inches  deep.  Its  spire  100  feet 
high  was  surmounted  by  a  brass  weathercock. 

In  1631.  The  present  Gothic  House  was  built  by 
the  first  church.  It  measures  61  by  70  feet,  and  cost 
about  $10,000. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  199 

The  church  of  the  Pilgrimage  was  erected  in  1840, 
that  society  having  previously  worshiped  in  their 
house  on  training  Green  which  was  built  in  1801. 
This  house  was  dedicated  Nov.  24,  1840.  The  body 
of  the  church  is  68  by  59  feet,  with  a  tower  26  feet 
square.  It  contains  92  pews  on  the  lower  floor,  and 
80  seats  in  the  organ  loft,  and  will  accommodate 
about  700  people.  '  It  received  its  name  in  com- 
memoration of  the  pilgrimage  of  our  puritan  fathers 
to  this  place,  and  stands  near  the  site  of  the  church 
they  first  erected  for  worship. 

The  Town,  formerly  the  County  House,  was  built 
in  the  year  1748.  It  was  in  that  day  esteemed  one 
of  the  best  models  of  architecture.  The  front  door 
was  originally  at  the  east  end,  with  a  handsome 
flight  of  steps.  It  was  planned  by  Judge  Oliver  of 
Middleboro'.  The  town  paid  1000  pounds  old  tenor, 
towards  the  building,  having  the  privilege  to  use  it 
for  a  town  house,  and  when  the  New  Court  House 
was  built  in  1820,  they  purchased  it  of  the  county. 

The  elm  trees  in  this  square,  were  set  out  in  the 
year  1783,  by  the  late  Thomas  Davis,  Esq.,  and 
were  brought  by  him  from  Portsmouth,  N.  H. 

1  Let  strangers  walk  around 
The  city  where  we  dwell, 
Compass  and  view  thine  holy  ground, 


200  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


COLE'S   HILL. 


Cole's  Hill  *  is  an  open  green  spot  fronting  the 
harbor,  a  short  distance  above  Forefathers  Rock, 
commanding  a  beautiful  view  of  the  ocean  and  high 
lands,  by  which  the  bay  is  encircled.  It  was  the 
first  burial  ground  of  the  pilgrims.  On  inspection 
it  will  be  found  to  have  undergone  considerable 
changes,  since  its  first'  consecration  as  a  temporary 
receptacle  of  the  dead.  In  the  year  1735,  a  severe 
storm  occurred,  and  large  quantities  of  water  rushing 
through  Middle  street,  washed  away  some  portion  of 
the  banks,  carrying  in  its  current  the  remains  of  sev- 
eral bodies,  deposited  there  in  the  winter  of  1620,  and 
spring  of  1621.  In  the  year  1809,  a  human  scull  was 
disinterred,  the  teeth  of  which  were  in  a  perfect  state 
of  preservation.  The  traditions  respecting  this  place, 
and  its  consecrated  uses  by  the  Pilgrims,  were  receiv- 
ed from  the  same  unquestionable  sources,  as  are 
mentioned  in  the  account  of  Forefather's  Rock  on 
page  176  of  this  work,  and  are  stated  by  Dr.  Holmes, 
in  his  American  Annals,  and  by  the  venerable  Judge 
Davis,  in  a  note  to  his  edition  of  the  New  England 
Memorial, -to  have  been  received  by  them  many 
years  ago. 

*  This  hill  derives  its  name  from  James  Cole,  the  first  occupant, 
who  lived  there  in  the  year  1637,  at  the  end  of  North  street,  then  called 
New  street,  on  the  south  side.  This  lot  embraced  that  now  owned  by 
the  heirs  of  the  late  Capt.  William  Davis,  and  the  Drew  estate  adjoin- 
ing, and  extended  to  Middle  street. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  201 


The  suffering,  death,  and  funeral  solemnities,  of 
which  this  spot  was  once  the  trying  scene,  have  been 
the  subject  of  a  description  so  consonant  to  the  most 
elevated  principles  of  our  nature,  that  no  better  ser- 
vice can  be  rendered  to  every  thoughtful  observer, 
than  its  transcription  into  these  pages. 

*  '  In  a  late  undesigned  visit  to  Plymouth,  I  sought 
the  spot  where  their  earlier  dead  were  buried.  It 
was  a  bank  you  remember,  somewhat  elevated  below 
the  town  and  between  it  and  the  water,  near  and 
looking  forth  upon  the  waves,  symbol  of  what  life  had 
been  to  them ;  ascending  inland,  behind  and  above 
the  rock,  a  symbol  of  that  rock  of  ages,  on  which  the 
dying  had  rested  in  the  final  hour.  As  the  Pilgrim 
found  these  localities,  you  might  stand  on  that  bank 
and  hear  the  restless  waters  chafe  and  melt  against 
its  steadfast  bank ;  the  unquiet  of  the  world  composed 
itself  at  the  portals  of  the  grave.  On  that  spot  have 
laid  to  rest  together,  the  earth  carefully  smoothed 
down  that  the  Indian  might  not  count  the  number, 
the  true,  the  pious,  the  beautiful,  and  the  brave,  till 
the  heavens  be  no  more.  There  certainly  was 
buried  the  first  Governor,  (Carver,)  'with  three  vol- 
lies  of  shot  fired  over  him;'  and  there  was  buried 
Rose  the  wife  of  Miles  Standish. 

1  You  shall  go  to  them/  wrote  Robinson  in  the 
same  letter  from  which  I  have  read,  '  but  they  shall 
not  return  to  you.' 

*  Choate's  Oration  delivered  before  the  New  England  Society,  at 
New  York,  Dec.  22, 1S44. 


202  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

■  I  can  seem  to  see,  on  a  day  quite  towards  the  close 
of  their  first  month  of  March,  a  diminished  procession 
of  the  Pilgrims,  following  another  dearly  loved  and 
newly  dead,  to  that  brink  of  graves  ;  and  pausing 
sadly  there,  before  they  shall  turn  away  to  see  that 
face  no  more.  In  full  view  from  that  spot,  is  the 
Mayflower,  still  riding  at  her  anchor,  but  to  sail  in  a 
few  days  more  for  England,  leaving  them  alone,  the 
living  and  the  dead,  to  the  weal  or  woe  of  their  new 
home.  I  cannot  say  what  was  the  entire  emotion  of 
that  moment  and  that  scene,  but  the  tones  of  the 
venerated  elder's  voice,  as  they  gathered  round  him, 
were  full  of  cheerful  trust ;  and  they  went  to  hearts 
as  noble  as  his  own !  This  spot ;  he  might  say,  'this 
line  of  shore,  yea,  this  whole  land  grows  dearer,  daily, 
were  it  only  for  the  precious  dust  which  we  have 
committed  to  its  bosom.  I  would  sleep  here,  when 
my  own  hour  comes,  rather  than  elsewhere,  with 
those  who  have  shared  with  us  in  our  exceeding 
labors,  and  whose  burdens  are  now  unloosed  forever. 
I  would  be  near  them  in  the  last  day,  and  have  a 
part  in  their  resurrection.  And  now,'  he  proceeded, 
Met  us  go  from  the  side  of  the  grave  to  work  with  all 
our  might  what  we  have  to  do.  It  is  in  my  mind 
that  our  night  of  sorrow  is  well  nigh  ended,  and  that 
the  joy  of  our  morning  is  at  hand.  The  breath  of  the 
pleasant  southwest  is  here,  and  the  singing  of  birds. 
The  sore  sickness  is  stayed,  somewhat  more  than 
half  our  number  remain,  and  among  them  some  of 
our    best   and   wisest,   though    others    have    fallen 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  203 

asleep.  Matter  of  joy  and  thanksgiving  to  Almighty 
God  it  is,  that  among  you  all,  the  living  and  the 
dead,  I  know  not  one,  even  when  disease  had  touch- 
ed him,  and  sharp  grief  had  made  his  heart  as  a  lit- 
tle child's,  who  desired,  yea,  who  could  have  been 
entreated  to  go  back  to  England  by  yonder  ship. 
Plainly  it  is  his  will,  that  we  stand  or  fall  here.  All 
his  providences,  these  three  hundred  years,  declare 
it,  as  with  beams  of  the  sun.  Did  he  not  set  his  bow 
in  the  clouds,  in  that  bitter  hour  of  embarking,  and 
build  his  glorious  arch  upon  the  sea,  for  us  to  sail 
through  hitherward  ?  Wherefore,  let  us  stand  to  our 
lot !  If  he  prosper  us  we  shall  found  a  church, 
against  which  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail ;  and 
a  colony,  a  nation,  by  which  all  the  nations  shall  be 
healed,  and  shall  be  saved.  Millions  shall  spring  from 
our  loins,  and  trace  back  with  lineal  love,  their  blood 
to  ours.  Centuries  hereafter,  in  great  cities,  the  cap- 
itols  of  mighty  states,  and  from  the  tribes  of  a  com- 
mon and  happy  Israel,  shall  come  together,  the  good, 
the  distinguished,  the  wise,  to  remember  our  dark 
day  of  small  things ;  yea,  generations  shall  call  us 
blessed. 

'Without  a  sign,  calmly,  with  triumph,  they  turned 
away  from  the  grave;  they  sent  the  Mayflower  away 
and  went  back,  those  stern,  strong  men,  to  their  im- 
perial labors.' 


204  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


THE  BURYING  HILL. 

The  pilgrim  fathers  are  at  rest : 

When  summer's  throned  on  high, 
And  the  worlds  warm  breast  is  in  verdure  drest, 

Go,  stand  on  the  hill  where  they  lie. 

This  hill  was  originally  called  the  fort  hill,  from 
the  circumstance,  of  it.s  occupation  for  defensive 
purposes  immediately  after  the  landing.  The  first 
encounter  with  the  natives  at  Eastham  as  mentioned 
page  55,  though  decisively  resulting  in  the  defeat  of 
the  Indians  by  the  pilgrims,  naturally  inspired  appre- 
hensions of  future  hostility  from  the  same  quarter. 
Under  these  circumstances,  their  first  measure  of 
precaution  was  the  erection  of  a  platform  on  the 
hill,  upon  which  their  ordnance  was  placed,  as  a 
protection  to  the  dwellings,  which  they  designed  to 
build  in  two  rows  directly  below.  The  site  of  the 
ancient  fort  is  distinctly  marked,  on  the  southeast 
part  of  the  hill,  which  overlooks  the  bay  and  sur- 
rounding country  in  every  direction.  It  was  con- 
nected by  a  pathway  through  what  is  now  Spring 
street  to  the  town  brook,  near  which  is  Pilgrim 
spring  as  found  on  the  Map.  In  the  year  1622,  accord- 
ing to  Morton  and  other  historians,  '  They  built  a  fort 
with  good  timber  both  strong  and  comely,  which 
was  of  good  defence,  made  with  a  flat  roof  and 
battlements,  on  which  fort  their  ordnance  was  mount- 
ed, and  where  they  kept  constant  watch,  especially 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  205 

in  time  of  danger  It  served  them  also  for  a  meet- 
ing-house, and  was  fitted  accordingly  for  that  use.' 
These  precautions  were  taken  at  the  time  of  threat- 
ened hostility  from  Canonicas,  the  distinguished  and 
powerful  Sachem  of  the  Narraganset  Indians.  In 
September,  1642,  according  to  the  town  records,  it 
was  agreed  that  every  man  should  bring  two  pieces 
more,  eight  feet  long,  to  finish  the  fortification  on  the 
fort-hill,  and  that  Richard  Church  shall  speedily 
build  the  carriage  for  another  piece  of  ordnance. 
Sept.  23d,  1643.  It  is  agreed  upon  by  the  whole, 
that  there  shall  be  a  watch-house  forthwith  built  of 
brick  and  that  Mr  Grimes  will  sell  us  the  brick  at 
lis.  a  thousand.  This  is  the  first  instance  in  which 
brick  are  mentioned.  In  September  of  the  same 
year,  the  whole  township  was  classed  in  a  watch, 
six  men  and  a  corporal  assigned  to  a  watch,  'when 
Gov.  Bradford,  Mr.  Prince,  Mr.  Hopkins,  Mr.  Jenney, 
Mr.  Paddy,  Mr.  Souther  were  chosen  the  council  of 
war.  Twenty-one  individuals  living  at  Jones  River 
and  Wellingsley  were  appointed  with  others  in  town 
to  keep  watch  twenty-four  hours,  from  sunset  to 
snnset,  in  regard  to  the  danger  of  the  Indians'  — 
those  in  the  town  according  to  order  given  Nathaniel 
Souther  and  Thomas  Southworth,  appointed  masters 
of  the  watch.  Arrangements  were  at  the  same  time 
made  in  case  of  alarm  at  Plymouth,  Duxbury,  and 
Marshfield,  that  from  the  two  former  places  twenty 
men  should  repair  to  the  scene  of  danger  and  ten  from 
the  latter.  Beacons  were  placed  on  Gallows  hill,  and 
18 


206  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Captain's  hill  in  Duxbury  —  and  on  the  hill  by  Mr. 
Thomas'  house  in  Marshfield  —  to  be  fixed  as  signals 
in  case  of  danger.  In  the  month  of  February,  1676,  the 
apprehension  of  danger  from  King  Philip  led  to  more 
extensive  and  formidable  defences  of  this  point  than 
had  been  made  at  any  previous  period* 

There  exists  no  historical  account  of  the  time  when 
this  hill  first  became  the  place  of  sepulchre.     It  has 


*  February  19th,  1675.  'It  was  ordered  by  the  town  that  there  shall 
be  forthwith  a  fortification  built  at  Plymouth,  to  be  an  hundred  foot 
square,  the  palisadoes  to  be  10  feet  and  a  half  long,  to  be  set  two  foot 
and  a  half  in  the  ground,  and  to  be  set  against  a  post  and  a  rail. 
Every  man  is  to  do  three  foot  of  the  said  fence  of  the  fortification. 
The  palisadoes  are  to  be  battered  on  the  back  side,  one  against  every 
two  and  sharpened  on  the  tops  —  to  be  accomplished  by  every  male 
in  each  family  from  16  years  and  upwards.  And  that  there  shall  be  a 
watch-house  erected  within  the  said  fence  or  fortification  and  that  the 
three  pieces  of  ordnance  shall  be  placed  within  the  said  fence  or 
fortification.  Agreed  with  Nathaniel  Southworth  to  build  the  said 
watch-house,  which  is  to  be  16  feet  in  length  and  12  feet  in  breadth 
and  eight  stud,  to  be  walled  with  board  and  to  have  two  floors,  the 
upper  floor  to  be  six  feet  above  the  lower  floor,  and  he  is  to  batten 
the  walls  and  to  make  a  small  pair  of  stairs  in  it,  and  to  frame  two 
small  windows  below,  to  make  two  gables  to  the  roof  on  each  side, 
and  to  cover  the  roof  with  shingles.  And  to  build  a  chimney  in  the 
said  house  and  to  do  all  the  work  thereunto,  only  the  frame  is  to  be 
brought  to  the  place  at  the  town's  charge  and  for  the  said  work  he  is 
to  have  eight  pounds.'  At  the  close  of  this  war,  which  resulted  in  the 
permanent  security  of  N.  England  against  the  natives,  this  fort  was 
no  longer  needed  and  was  sold.  The  last  mention  of  it  in  the  town 
records  was  in  1679,  when  the  watch-house  was  given  to  Samuel 
Jenney,  to  occupy  it  or  remove  the  same  if  he  thought  fit.  The 
cannon  were  used  for  the  defence  of  Cole's  hill  during  revolutionary 
times ;  and  afterwards  were  sold,  to  be  wrought  into  some  more 
harmless  form  of  human  uses. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  207 

however  been  inferred  from  traditions  which  have 
come  down,  that  it  was  so  used  not  long  after  1622, 
when  the  fort  was  constructed  and  served  for  public 
worship  as  well  as  defence.  The  following  inscrip- 
tions are  from  the  oldest  stones  now  on  the  hill.  Why 
grave-stones  were  not  sooner  placed  there  can  now 
only  be  subject  of  conjecture.  Perhaps  a  sufficient 
reason  existed  in  the  expense  and  difficulty  of 
promptly  procuring  stones  from  England  —  and  some- 
thing should  be  allowed  to  the  weighty  cares  and 
labors  early  required  to  hold  possession  of  the  conn- 
try,  demanding  thoughts  and  energies  which  rendered 
other  considerations  of  comparatively  secondary  con- 
sequence. 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Edward  Gray,  Gent,  aged 
about  52  years,  and  departed  this  life  the  last  of 
June,  1681.  Mr.  Gray  was  a  distinguished  and  suc- 
cessful merchant  and  a  valuable  man  in  his  day  and 
generation.  He  lived  in  Rockey-Nook,  and  died 
there ;  and  the  same  field  near  the  water,  on  which 
his  house  and  store  stood  are  still  owned  by  his  de- 
scendants. 

Here  lies  buried  the  body  of  Mr.  Wm,  Crow,  aged 
about  55  years,  who  deed  January  1683-4. 

Here  lieth  buried  the  body  of  that  precious  servant 
of  God,  Mr.  Thomas  Cushman,  who,  after  he  had 
served  his  generation  according  to  the  will  of  God, 
and  particularly  the  church  of  Plymouth  for  many 


208  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

years  in  the  office  of  a  ruling-elder,  fell  asleep  in  Je- 
sus Dec.  10th,  1691,  and  in  the  84th  year  of  his  age. 
Mr.  Cushman  was  the  son  of  Robert  Cushman.  He 
lived  in  the  latter  period  of  his  life  near  Jones  River; 
and  the  place  where  he  dwelt  and  the  spring  near  it 
is  called  Elder  Spring  to  this  day.  It  is  a  short  dis- 
tance south  of  the  Kingston  landing. 

1695.  Here  lies  buried  ye  body  of  Mr.  Thomas 
Clark,  aged  98  years.  Departed  this  life  March  24, 
1697. 

It  has  long  been  supposed  that  Mr.  Thomas  Clark 
was  mate  of  the  Mayflower;  but  tradition  upon  this 
point  is  not  entirely  satisfactory.  The  christian 
name  of  the  Clark  who  was  mate  of  this  renowned 
vessel  is  not  mentioned  in  history.  Thomas  Clark 
arrived  in  the  Ann  in  1623,  at  which  time  he  was  23 
years  of  age  ;  and  if  he  were  mate  of  the  Mayflower 
was  20  years  old  when  she  arrived  in  1620.  It  is  at 
least  remarkable,  that  no  mention  of  him  as  such 
appears  in  any  record  extant. 

1645.  Here  lies  buried  the  body  of  Mr.  Thomas 
Faunce,  ruling  elder  of  the  first  church  of  Christ  in 
Plymouth.  Deceased  Feb.  27,  1745,  in  the  99th  year 
of  his  age. 


■©' 


The  fathers  —  where  are  they  ? 
Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord. 

This  venerable  cotemporary  of  the  pilgrims  was 
the  last  ruling  elder  of  the  first  church,  from  whom 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  209 

most  of  the  traditions,  respecting  the  first  comers, 
were  received  —  a  source  of  information  deserving  of 
entire  confidence. 

*Here  lies  the  body  of  Joseph  Bartlett,  who  departed 
this  life,  April  the  9th,  1703,  in  the  38th  year  of  his 
age. 

Thousands  of  years  before  blest  Abel's  fall, 
'Twas  said  of  him  being  dead  he  speaketh  yet. 
From  silent  grave  methinks  I  hear  a  voice, 
Pray  fellow  mortal  do'nt  your  death  forget ; 
You  that  your  eyes  cast  on  this  grave, 
Know  you  a  dying  lime  must  have. 

A  white  marble  monument,  with  an  appropriate 
inscription  was  placed  on  the  site  well  known  as  the 
grave  of  Gov.  Bradford,  by  several  of  his  descend- 
ants. It  stands  on  the  easterly  brow  of  the  hill  — 
and  is  8  1-2  feet  from  the  ground,  and  of  pyramidal 
form. 

Near  this  monument  is  the  grave  of  Win.  Brad- 
ford, son  of  the  Governor. 

Here  lies  the  body  of  ye  honorable  Major  William 
Bradford,  who  expired  Feb.  ye  20th,  1703-4  —  aged 
79  years. 

He  lived  long,  but  was  still  doing  good, 
And  in  his  country's  service  lost  much  blood, 
After  a  life  well  spent  he's  now  at  rest, 
His  very  name  and  memory  is  blest. 

*  It  has  generally  been  supposed,  that  the  grave  stone  of  Edward 
Gray,  was  the  first  placed  on  the  hill  —  the  late  Dr.  Nath'l  Lothrop, 
however,  received  information  from  an  aged  relative,  from  which  it 
appears  that  Mr.  Barllett's  was  first  placed  there,  though  his  death 
was  sometime  subsequent  to  that  of  Mr.  Gray. 
18* 


210  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Some  years  ago  a  grave  stone  was  placed  over  the 
remains  of  John  Howland,  by  his  descendant  in  the 
5th  generation,  the  Hon.  John  Howland,  of  Provi- 
dence, President  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Rhode 
Island,  now  in  the  89th  year  of  his  age. 

Here  ended  the  Pilgrimage  of  John  Howland  — 
and  Elizabeth  his  wife.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Gov.  Carver.  They  arrived  in  the  Mayflower,  Dec. 
1620.  They  had  four  sons  and  six  daughters,  from 
whom  have  descended  a  numerous  posterity. 

1672,  Feb.  23d.  John  Howland  of  Plymouth  de- 
ceased. He  lived  to  the  age  of  80  years.  He  was 
the  last  man  of  them  that  came  over  in  the  May- 
flower who  settled  in  Plymouth. 

The  following  lines  from  the  grave  stone  of  the 
late  Samuel  Davis,  Esq.,  may  find  an  appropriate 
place  in  closing  a  chapter  devoted  to  ancient  inscrip- 
tions connected  with  the  pilgrims. 

From  life  on  earth  our  pensive  friend  retires, 
His  dust  commingling  with  the  pilgrim  sires  ; 
In  thoughtful  walk  their  every  path  he  traced, 
Peaceful  and  pure  and  innocent  as  they, 
With  them  to  rise,  to  everlasting  day.* 

*  On  the  occasion  of  an  anniversary  celebration,  some  years  ago,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Peirce  of  Brooklyn  and  Mr.  Davis  were  in  conversation  to- 
gether, when  several  gentlemen  entered  the  room,  when  the  Doctor 
introduced  his  friend,  by  observing,  *  Gentlemen,  this  is  Mr.  Davis, 
who  can  tell  us  where  we  all  came  from '  —  to  which  Mr.  D.  promptly 
replied,  «  Gentlemen,  this  is  Dr.  Peirce,  who  can  tell  us  where  we  are 
all  going  to? 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  211 


On  a  bright  summer's  day,  at  full  tide,  let  some 
thoughtful  observer  come 


'  To  the  hill  of  hallowed  brow, 
Where  the  pilgrim  sleepeth  now.' 

Let  him  come  when  no  cloud  obscures  the  heav- 
ens, and  the  hushed  air  breathes  no  whisper,  when 
the  unruffled  ocean  holds  mirrored  on  its  tranquil 
bosom,  the  varied  forms  of  surrounding  objects,  and 
the  chastened  feelings  of  the  hour,  court  the  sym- 
pathy of  nature's  repose,  symbol  of  that  deeper 
repose,  brooding  over  the  sleep  of  many  generations. 
Facing  the  beautiful  expanse  of  waters  before  him, 
the  green  ridge  of  Manomet  is  seen,  rising  nearly 
four  hundred  feet  above  the  ocean,  having  the  beach 
stretching  its  slender  form  from  its  notherly  side  three 
miles  in  extent,  reposing  quietly  beneath  its  misty  veil 
of  blue,  as  if  to  gain  fresh  vigor,  to  encounter  the 
furious  congregation  of  billows,  that  often  beat  and 
foam  against  the  huge  rocks  that  encircle  its  base. 
Extending  his  vision  across  the  bay,  a  distance  of 
twenty-five  miles,  the  white  cliffs  of  Cape  Cod 
appear  as  if  suspended  in  mid-air  by  some  secret 
enchantment  of  nature.  Contracting  his  vision  with- 
in a  narrower  compass,  it  rests  on  the  white  towers  of 
the  gurnet  light  house,  reflected  in  the  depths  below, 
occupying  the  extreme  point  of  Marshfield  beach, 
seven  miles  from  the  main  land;  from  whence  the 
gleaming  messenger  of  hope  may  sooner  penetrate 


212  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

the  darkness  of  night,  and  guide  the  lost  manner  to 
some  haven  of  safety.  Protected  by  Saquish  head, 
stands  Clark's  Island,  where  the  wrecked  shallop  of 
the  Mayflower,  shrouded  in  darkness,  and  just  escap- 
ing destruction  from  the  foaming  breakers  of  the 
neighboring  cove,  at  last  found  shelter,  and  the 
weather-beaten  pilgrim,  in  his  joyous  hour  of  safety 
from  peril,  '  thanked  God  and  took  courage.'  Beyond, 
lies  the  extended  village  of  Duxbnry,  sparkling  in 
sunlight,  reaching  to  the  Hill  of  Standish,  full  of  in- 
teresting associations ;  and  Kingston,  with  its  neat 
dwellings,  scattered  along  between  pleasant  groves, 
and  teeming  flood,  terminating  the  survey  of  hills 
and  plains  and  waters,  which  once  formed  the  active 
scene  of  intense  labor,  perilous  enterprise  and  endur- 
ing power,  to  men  whose  ashes  now  mingle  with  the 
ground  on  which  the  rapt  observer  stands. 


CLARK'S   ISLAND. 

'  And  the  heavy  night  hung-  dark, 
The  hills  and  waters  o'er, 
When  a  band  of  exiles  moored  their  bark 
On  the  wild  JSew  England  shore.' 

This  Island  received  its  name  from  Clark,  the 
master's  mate  of  the  ship  Mayflower.  It  is  in  some 
measure  sheltered  from  the  ocean  by  Saquish  on  the 
south  and  Marshfield  beach  on  the  east.  It  presents 
a  beautiful  feature  in  the  scenery  of  Plymouth  har- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  213 

bor  distant  three  miles  from  town,  but  is  chiefly 
interesting  in  connection  with  the  pilgrims,  who 
providentially  found  a  shelter  by  its  side,  on  the  night 
of  December  8th,  1620.  Having  taken  their  depar- 
ture from  Eastham  and  coasted  along  Barnstable 
Bay  about  45  miles  as  mentioned  page  55,  on  enter- 
ing Plymouth  harbor  they  narrowly  escaped  running 
the  shallop  into  a  cove  full  of  breakers,  which  is 
formed  between  the  gurnet  light  house  and  Saquish 
head,  a  distance  of  about  two  miles.  On  approaching 
the  breakers  a  resolute  seaman  at  the  helm  cried 
out  to  the  oarsmen,  'if  they  were  men,  about  with 
her,  or  they  were  all  cast  away  ; '  which  call  was 
promptly  executed,  and  favored  by  the  flood-tide, 
they  weathered  Saquish  head  and  secured  a  shelter. 
Here  they  kindled  a  fire  and  spent  the  night.  In  the 
morning  they  explored  the  island,  without  finding 
either  dwellings  or  inhabitants.  The  weather  being 
extremely  cold,  Saturday  the  9th  was  spent  in  re- 
cruiting their  strength,  drying  their  arms,  and  repair- 
ing the  shallop.  The  next  day  being  Sunday,  •  they 
rested '  and  kept  the  first  New  England  Sabbath, 
notwithstanding  the  urgent  necessity  then  existing, 
to  hasten  their  explorations,  for  some  place  of  perma- 
nent settlement. 

On  Monday,  the  11th  of  December,  they  sounded 
the  harbor,  and  landed  on  the  Rock  of  Plymouth, 
which  date  corresponds  with  the  21st  of  December 
new  style,  according  to  the  decision  of  our  best 
astronomers,  though  the  22d  has  usually  been  the 
day  of  anniversary  celebrations. 


214  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

In  the  year  1637,  '  The  court  granted,  that  Clark's 
Island,  the  Eel  River  beach,  saqoish  and  the  gurnet's 
nose,  shall  be  and  remain  unto  the  town  of  Ply- 
mouth.' The  Island  was  originally  well  wooded, 
principally  with  red  cedar,  wiiich  in  after  times  was 
frequently  converted  into  gate  posts  for  the  supply  of 
Boston  market.  Four  or  five  weather  beaten  tenants 
of  this  spot  still  remain,  and  might  in  their  days  of 
youthful  vigor,  have  formed  part  of  the  forest  which 
poetry  has  delightfully  personified  in  connection  with 
the  Fathers, 

'  When  the  leafless  woods  repealed 
The  music  of  their  psalm, 
'  When  they  shook  the  depths  of  the  desert  gloom 
With  their  song  of  lofly  cheer.' 

This  Island  contains  86  1-4  acres,  according  to  a 
survey  ordered  by  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  Feb.  23d, 
16S7,  executed  by  Philip  Wells,  and  was  pronounced 
by  Gov.  Hutchinson  one  of  the  best  in  Massachu- 
setts. It  was  sold  by  the  town,  in  1690,  to  Samuel 
Lucas,  Elkanah  Watson,  and  George  Morton.  The 
late  John  Watson  Esq.  was  the  proprietor  of  the 
Island,  where  he  resided  about  40  years,  and  died 
Feb.  1,  1826,  in  the  78th  year  of  his  age.  He  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  Old  Colony  Club  in  1769, 
and  President  of  the  Pilgrim  Society  after  the  year 
1820,  till  his  death.  The  place  is  now  under  good 
cultivation  by  his  son,  Mr.  Edward  Watson.  On  a 
very  accurate  map  of  Plymouth,  drawn  by  James 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  215 

Blascowith,  Esq.  a  Naval  Engineer,  by  order  of  the 
British  Government  in  the  year  1774,  a  large  rock  on 
the  Island  is  named  Election  Rock,  which  according 
to  information  obtained  from  elderly  persons  now 
living,  probably  derived  its  name  from  the  fact,  that 
parties  of  pleasure  in  early  times  resorted  there,  to 
spend  election  holidays.  This  map  probably  contains 
the  only  record  extant  here  of  an  ancient  holiday, 
full  of  excitement  to  the  community,  in  the  former 
days  of  New  England. 

It  ought  perhaps  to  be  stated  here,  that  history  has 
not  preserved  the  christian  names  of  either  Jones  or 
Clark,  the  master  and  mate  of  the  Mayflower,  or  of 
Reynolds,  master  of  the  Speedwell. 


BILLINGTON  SEA. 

This  beautiful  expanse  of  water,  though  it  may 
not  justly  aspire  to  all  the  dignity  which  its  name 
would  seem  to  import,  and  which,  soon  after  its  dis- 
covery, received  from  the  planters  themselves,  the 
more  unassuming  and  appropriate  appellation  of 
Fresh  Lake,  still  possesses  strong  attractions  to  the 
lovers  of  nature,  in  her  more  secluded,  but  not  less 
interesting  manifestations  of  beauty. 

It  was  discovered  by  '  Francis  Bilington,'  in  1621, 
who  'having  the  week  before,  (on  the  eighth  of  Jan- 
uary,) seen  from  the  top  of  a  tree,  on  a  high  hill,  a 
great  sea  as  he  thought,  went  with  the  master's  mate 


216  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

to  see  it.'  They  found  seven  or  eight  wigwams,  but 
no  inhabitants.  Whether  these  dwellings  served  for 
occasional  accommodation  to  the  Namasket  Indians, 
when  visiting  the  sea-shore  for  shell  fish,  or  had 
been  deserted  in  consequence  of  the  destructive 
plague  of  1616,  must  remain  the  subject  of  conjec- 
ture only.  It  is  quite  probable,  however,  that  the 
Indian  path  from  Namasket  wound  its  way  along 
this  woodland  region,  and  so  continued  on  the  south 
side  of  Town  Brook.  It  is  about  one  and  a  half 
miles  long,  and  half  a  mile  in  width  at  its  extreme 
points,  and  six  miles  in  compass  along  its  winding 
shores.  It  imbosoms  an  Island  containing  two  acres 
of  land,  formerly  covered  with  every  variety  of  forest 
trees,  and  now  mostly  replaced  by  an  orchard  and 
dwelling  house.  Some  thirty  years  ago  it  was  the 
usual  and  favorite  resort  of  social  parties  from  town, 
since  which  it  has  in  some  measure  experienced  the 
rivalship  peculiar  to  all  human  concerns;  while 
South,  Long,  and  Herring  Ponds,  having  deeper 
water  and  greater  abundance  of  fish,  often  divert 
the  votaries  of  innocent  amusement  to  their  attrac- 
tive shores. 

During  the  last  summer  this  ancient  and  agreeable 
resort,  seems  to  have  acquired  new  favor  in  public 
estimation,  and  among  the  throng  of  visitors  to 
Plymouth,  in  quest  of  antiquity,  and  to  seek  relaxa- 
tion from  the  cares  of  city  life,  many  have  found  its 
shady  groves  a  source  of  refreshment  and  delight. 

The  water  power  afforded  by  this  spacious  foun- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF     THE    PILGRIMS.  217 

tain,  from  whence  Town  brook  proceeds  in  its  course 
of  two  miles  to  the  harbor,  is  not  liable  to  the  many 
fluctuations  incident  to  most  of  our  streams.  It  has, 
from  time  immemorial,  been  of  great  importance  to 
our  citizens,  and  might  with  skillful  improvements, 
increase  the  productive  power  of  our  manufactures  to 
a  very  large  extent. 

In  this  comparatively  sequestered  region,  the  eagle 
still  maintains  his  ancient  dominion,  majestically 
soaring  above  his  native  hills,  the  abode  of  many 
generations.  Here  the  beautiful  wood  duck  still 
roams  with  diminished  chances  of  success,  in  quest 
of  a  secluded  retreat  —  and  the  bounding  deer,  sport- 
ively ranging  through  forest  and  glade,  finds  refresh- 
ment on  the  margin  of  its  pure  waters  ;  or,  when 
heated  in  the  chase  from  some  perilous  onset  of  the 
reckless  hunter,  with  hurried  flight  venturously 
braves  the  welcome  flood,  his  only  chance  of  secu- 
rity from  unrelenting  pursuit.   • 

Note.  It  seems  almost  certain  that  an  error  exists  in  the  original 
edition  of  Mourt's  relation,  printed  in  1622,  where  the  name  of  Francis 
Billington  occurs,  which  probably  should  have  been  written  John 
Billington.  Dr.  Young,  in  his  chronicles,  has  copied  this  work,  and 
on  page  149  may  be  found  what  is  presumed  to  have  been  an  error  in 
the  original.  The  note  of  Dr.  Young  on  the  same  page,  referring  to 
Francis  Billington,  would  not  therefore  be  applicable  to  Francis,  but 
would  be  appropriate  when  applied  to  John,  senior.  John  Billington, 
senior,  signed  the  compact  on  board  the  Mayflower,  and  his  family,  as 
appears  from  that  instrument,  consisted  of  four  persons,  including 
probably  himself,  his  wife  Helen,  and  two  sons,  Francis  and  John. 
History  and  the  records  are  both  silent  respecting  the  boy  John  after 
his  recovery,  who  had  strolled  away  from  the  plantation  and  caused  so 

19 


218  GUIDE  TO  PLYMOUTH,  AND 


THE  OLD  COLONY  CLUB. 

As  our  public  anniversary  celebrations  originated 
with  this  association,  some  account  of  its  origin  will 
doubtless  be  interesting  to  the  reader.  It  was  formed 
in  1769,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  following  extracts 
copied  from  the  records  which  are  now  in  existence, 

January  16lh,  1769.  —  'We  whose  names  are 
underwritten,  having  maturely  weighed  and  seriously 
considered  the  many  disadvantages  and  inconven- 
iences that  arise  from  intermixing  with  the  company 
at  the  taverns  in  this  town,  and  apprehending  that  a 
well  regulated  club  will  have  a  tendency  to  prevent 
the  same,  and  to  increase,  not  only  the  pleasure  and 
happiness  of  the  respective  members,  but,  also,  will 
conduce  to  their  edification  and  instruction,  do  hereby 
incorporate  ourselves  into  a  society,  by  the  name  of 
the  Old  Colony  Club.     For  the  better  regulation  of 

much  trouble  to  the  pilgrims.  In  the  division  of  lands  in  1623,  John 
Billing-ton  had  three  acres  of  land  assigned  him  ;  and  in  the  division  of 
cattle  in  1627  the  names  of  John,  Helen,  and  Francis  only  are  men- 
tioned. 

Francis  Billington,  it  may  be  inferred  from  all  we  can  gather 
respecting  him,  did  not  partake  of  his  father's  characteristics.  John, 
his  father,  was  hung  in  1630,  for  waylaying  and  shooting  John  New- 
comen,  who,  according  to  tradition,  intruded  on  his  hunting  grounds, 
and,  not  heeding  the  warning  given  him  to  desist,  became  the  victim 
of  one  who  had  before  proved  himself  a  pestilent  fellow  —  and  event- 
ually verified  the  declaration  of  Gov.  Bradford  to  Robert  Cushman, 
that  •  he  was  a  knave  and  would  so  live  and  die.' 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  219 

which  we  do  consent  and  agree  to  observe  all  such 
rules  and  laws,  as  shall  from  time  to  time  be  made 
by  the  club.  Dated  at  our  Hall,  in  Plymouth,  the 
day  and  year  above  written. 

Isaac  Lothrop,  John  Thomas, 

Pelham  Winslow,  Edward  Winslow,  Jr., 

Thomas  Lothrop,  John  Watson, 

Elkanah  Cushman. 

December  18th. —  At  a  meeting  of  the  club,  voted, 
that  Friday  next  be  kept  by  this  club  in  commemora- 
tion of  the  landing  of  our  worthy  ancestors  in  this 
place ;  that  the  club  dine  together  at  Mr.  Howland's, 
and  that  a  number  of  gentlemen  be  invited  to  spend 
the  evening  with  us  at  the  Old  Colony  Hall. 

Old  Colony  Bay.  First  Celebration  of  the  Landing 
of  our  Forefathers.  —  Friday,  December  22.  The 
Old  Colony  Club,  agreeably  to  a  vote  passed  the 
18th  instant,  met,  in  commemoration  of  the  landing 
of  their  worthy  ancestors  in  this  place.  On  the 
morning  of  the  said  day,  after  discharging  a  cannon, 
was  hoisted  upon  the  hall  an  elegant  silk  flag,  with 
the  following  inscription,  '  Old  Colony'  1620.  At 
eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.  the  members  of  the  club 
appeared  at  the  hall,  and  from  thence  proceeded  to 
the  house  of  Mr.  Rowland,  inn-holder,  which  is  erect- 
ed upon  the  spot  where  the  first  licensed  house  in 
the  Old  Colony  formerly  stood ;  at  half  after  two  a 
decent  repast  was  served,  which  consisted  of  the  fol- 
lowing dishes,  viz. 


220  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

1,  a  large  baked  Indian  whortleberry  pudding;  2,  a 
dish  of  sauquetach,  (succatach,  corn  and  beans  boil- 
ed together;)  3,  a  dish  of  clams;  4,  a  dish  of  oysters 
and  a  dish  of  cod  fish  ;  5,  a  haunch  of  vension,  roast- 
ed by  the  first  Jack  brought  to  the  colony  ;  6,  a  dish 
of  sea  fowl;  7,  a  dish  of  frost  fish  and  eels;  8  an 
apple  pie  ;  9,  a  course  of  cranberry  tarts,  and  cheese 
made  in  the  Old  Colony. 

These  articles  were  dressed  in  the  plainest  man- 
ner (all  appearance  of  luxury  and  extravagance  being 
avoided,  in  imitation  of  our  ancestors,  whose  memory 
we  shall  ever  respect.)  At  4  o'clock,  P.  M.  the 
members  of  our  club,  headed  by  the  steward,  carrying 
a  folio  volume  of  the  laws  of  the  Old  Colony,  hand 
in  hand  marched  in  procession  to  the  hall.  Upon  the 
appearance  of  the  procession  in  front  of  the  hall,  a 
number  of  descendants  from  the  first  settlers  in  the 
Old  Colony,  drew  up  in  a  regular  file,  and  discharged 
a  volley  of  small  arms,  succeeded  by  three  cheers, 
which  were  returned  by  the  club,  and  the  gentlemen 
generously  treated.  After  this,  appeared  at  the  private 
grammar  school  opposite  the  hall,  a  number  of  young 
gentlemen,  pupils  of  Mr.  Wadsworth,  who,  to  express 
their  joy  upon  this  occasion,  and  their  respect  for  the 
memory  of  their  ancestors,  in  the  most  agreeable 
manner  joined  in  singing  a  song  very  applicable  to 
the  day.  At  sunsetting  a  cannon  was  discharged, 
and  the  flag  struck.  In  the  evening  the  hall  was 
illuminated,  and  the  following  gentlemen,  being  pre- 
viously invited,  joined  the  club,  viz. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  221 

Co).  George  Watson,  Capt.  Thomas  Davis, 

Col  James  Warren,  Dr.  Nathaniel  Lothrop, 

James  Hovey,  Esq.,  Mr.  John  Russell, 

Thomas  Mayhew,  Esq.,     Mr.  Edward  Clarke, 
William  WTatson,  Esq.,       Mr.  Alexander  Scammell, 
Capt.  Gideon  White,  Mr.  Peleg  Wadsworth, 

Capt.  Elkanah  Watson,      Mr.    Thomas    Southworth 

Howland. 
The  president  being  seated  in  a  large  and  vener- 
able chair*  which  was  formerly  possessed  by  Wil- 
liam Bradford,  the  second  worthy  governor  of  the 
Old  Colony,  and  presented  to  the  club,  by  our  friend 
Dr.  Lazarus  Le  Baron,  of  this  town,  delivered  sever- 
al appropriate  toasts.  1     After  spending  the  evening 

*  This  ancient  chair  is  now  in  the  family  of  Nathaniel  Russell,  Esq. 

1 1.  To  the  memory  of  onr  brave  and  pions  ancestors,  the  first  set- 
tlers of  the  Old  Colony. 

2.  To  the  memory  of  John  Carver  and  all  the  other  worthy  Gover- 
nors of  the  Old  Colony. 

3.  To  the  memory  of  that  pious  man  and  faithful  historian,  Mr.  Sec- 
retary Morton. 

4.  To  the  memory  of  that  brave  man  and  good  officer,  Capt.  Miles 
Standish. 

5.  To  the  memory  of  Massasoit,  our  first  and  best  friend,  and  ally  of 
the  Natives. 

6.  To  the  memory  of  Mr.  Robert  Cushman,  who  preached  the  first 
sermon  in  New  England.  \ 

7.  The  union  of  the  Old  Colony  and  Massachusetts. 

8.  May  every  person  be  possessed  of  the  same  noble  sentiments 
against  arbitrary  power  that  our  worthy  ancestors  were  endowed 
with. 

9.  May  every  enemy  to  civil  or  religious  liberty  meet  the  same  or  a 
worse  fate  than  Arch  Bishop  Laud. 

19* 


222  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

in  an  agreeable  manner,  in  recapitulating  and  con- 
versing upon  the  many  and  various  advantages  of  our 
forefathers  in  the  first  settlement  of  this  country,  and 
the  growth  and  increase  of  the  same,  —  at  eleven 
o'clock  in  the  evening  a  cannon  was  again  fired,  three 
cheers  given,  and  the  club  and  company  withdrew.' 

In  1770.  The  anniversary  of  the  landing  was 
celebrated  much  in  the  same  manner  as  in  the  pre- 
ceding year,  with  the  addition  of  an  address  by 
Edward  Winslow,  Jun.  Esq.,  the  first  ever  delivered 
on  any  similar  occasion. 

•  In  order  to  remind  us  of  the  debt  of  gratitude  we 
owe  to  our  God,  and  to  our  ancestors,  the  following 
words  were  spoken,  with  modest  and  decent  firm- 
ness, by  a  member  of  the  club,  (Edward  Winslow, 
Jr.,  Esq.) 

1  When  I  recollect,  that  about  one  century  and  a 
half  since,  a  few  worthies  on  the  Island  of  Great 
Britain,  persecuted  and  tormented  by  the  wicked 
aspiring  great,  for  thinking  freely,  and  for  acting  with 
the  same  dignity  and  freedom  with  which  they 
thought,  although  their  sentiments  and  conduct  were 
conformed  to  the  laws  of  the  society  in  which  they 
lived,  contrary  to  the  common  cause  of  suffering  hu- 
manity, which  frequently  sinks  in  proportion  to  the 


10.  May  the  Colonies  be  speedily  delivered  from  all  the  burthens 
and  oppressions  they  now  labor  under. 

11.  A  speedy  and  lasting  union  between  Great  Britain  and  her  Col- 
onies. 

12.  Unanimity,  prosperity,  and  happiness  to  the  Colonies. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  223 

power  exerted  against  it,  did  dare,  in  defiance  of 
their  persecutors,  to  form  themselves  into  one  body 
for  the  common  safety  and  protection  of  all,  an  en- 
gagement, which  though  founded  on  the  true  and 
genuine  principles  of  religion  and  virtue,  unhappy 
experience  taught  them  was  too  weak  and  insecure 
a  barrier  against  the  arts  and  stratagems  of  such  po- 
tent adversaries.  When  we  recollect  that,  under 
these  melancholy  circumstances,  having  no  other 
resort  to  preserve  the  purity  of  their  minds,  they 
abandoned  their  native  country,  their  friends,  their 
fortunes,  and  connections,  and  transported  themselves 
tolhe  city  of  Leyden,  with  the  most  sanguine  hopes 
of  a  protection  which  the  Island  had  refused  to  afford 
them.  When  we  recollect  that  persecution,  from 
another  quarter,  rendered  their  situation  in  the  states 
of  Holland  equally  as  perplexed  and  disagreeable,  — 
how  am  I  astonished  that  such  repeated  disappoint- 
ments had  not  rendered  them  too  weak  ever  to  make 
another  attempt.  But  when  we  view  them  rising 
from  their  misfortunes  with  tenfold  vigor,  and  upon 
the  same  virtuous  principles,  crossing  the  Atlantic 
with  the  dearest  companions  of  life,  their  wives,  their 
helpless  offspring,  exposed  to  the  roughness  of  the 
ocean,  to  the  inclemencies  of  the  weather,  and  all 
their  attendant  evils,  and  landing  in  the  tempestuous 
month  of  December  upon  an  unknown  shore,  inhab- 
ited by  men  more  fierce  than  beasts  of  prey,  and 
scarcely  deserving  to  be  called  human,  natural  ene- 
mies to  their  virtue  and  morality,  with  whom  they 


224  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

are  obliged  to  wage  an  immediate  and  unequal  war 
for  their  defence  and  safety.  When  we  view  them, 
under  all  the  disadvantages  naturally  attendant  upon 
a  state  of  sickness  and  poverty,  defending  themselves 
against  savage  cruelties,  and  still  persevering  in  their 
virtuous  resolutions,  establishing  their  religion  in  this 
then  desert,  forming  a  code  of  laws  wisely  adapted 
to  their  circumstances,  and  planting  a  colony,  which, 
through  divine  goodness,  has  nourished  and  become 
an  important  branch  of  that  body  which  caused  their 
emigration,  —  how  am  I  lost  in  amazement!  And  to 
what  cause  can  we  ascribe  these  deliverances  and 
salvation,  but  to  that  Almighty  being  who  orders  all 
events  for  the  benefit  of  mankind,  whose  ways  are  to 
us  unsearchable,  whose  doings  are  past  our  finding 
out. 

'  Upon  a  recollection  of  all  these  things,  it  is  not  to 
be  wondered,  that  we  the  sons  and  descendants  from 
such  illustrious  ancestors,  upon  this  22d  of  Decem- 
ber, are  assembled  upon  the  very  spot  on  which  they 
landed,  to  commemorate  this  period,  the  most  import- 
ant that  the  annals  of  America  can  boast,  a  period 
which,  I  doubt  not  every  person  here  present  esteems 
an  honor,  as  well  as  his  incumbent  duty,  gratefully 
to  remember ;  and  while  we  feel  for  the  misfortunes 
and  calamities  of  those,  our  pious  ancestors,  the  con- 
sequences of  which  to  us  are  so  delightful  and  glori- 
ous, let  us  also  admire  and  adore  their  virtue,  their  pa- 
tience, their  fortitude,  and  their  heroism,  and  continue 
to  commemorate  it  annually.     This  virtue  is  undoubt- 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE     PILGRIMS.  225 


edly  rewarded  with  joys  which  no  tongue  can  utter, 
nor  hath  it  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  conceive  ; 
and  if  we,  their  sons,  act  from  the  same  principles, 
and  conduct  with  the  same  noble  firmness  and  reso- 
lution, when  our  holy  religion  or  our  civil  liberties  are 
invaded,  we  may  expect  a  reward  proportionate ;  for 
such  principles  render  the  soul  tranquil  and  easy 
under  all  the  misfortunes  and  calamities  to  which 
human  nature  is  exposed,  and  of  him  who  is  pos- 
sessed by  them,  the  poet  with  propriety  says, 

c  Should  the  whole  frame  of  nature  round  him  break, 

In  ruin  and  confusion  hurled, 
He,  unconcerned,  would  hear  the  mighty  crack, 
And  stand  secure  amidst  a  falling  world.' ' 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Chandler  Robbins,  pastor  of  the  first 
church,  took  a  lively  interest  in  the  public  celebra- 
tions instituted  by  this  club,  and  was  their  frequent 
guest.  In  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Club,  dated  Dec. 
23,  1771,  he  suggested,  'whether  it  would  not  be 
agreeable  for  the  entertainment  and  instruction  of 
the  rising  generation,  on  these  anniversaries  to  have 
a  sermon  in  public,  some  part  of  the  day  peculiarly 
adapted  to  the  occasion.'  This  recommendation  has 
been  generally  observed  from  that  day  to  the  present 
time. 

In  the  year  1773  the  association  was  dissolved,  in 
consequence  of  conflicting  opinions  existing  among 
its  members  in  relation  to  the  American  Revolution. 
Its  meetings  were  at  first  held   in  the  front  room  of 


226  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

the  house  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Diraan,  which  stood  upon 
the  lot  where  the  Mansion  House  now  stands,  at  the 
corner  of  North  and  Maine  streets,  and  afterwards  in 
the  Old  Colony  Hall. 

Their  public  dinners  were  provided  at  the  public 
house  of  Mr.  Howland,  which  stood  on  the  spot  now 
occupied  by  the  dwelling  house  of  Josiah  Robbins, 
Esq.  Among  the  invited  guests  at  various  times 
present  at  their  meetings,  were  the  following  dis- 
tinguished individuals:  John  Adams,  Robert  T. 
Paine,  Daniel  Leonard,  Col.  Thomas  Oliver,  Richard 
Leachmur,  Nathan  dishing,  Peleg  Wadsworth, 
William  Sever,  Benjamin  Kent,  Gen.  John  Winslow 
and  Dr.  Charles  Stockbridge. 

Feb.  8,  1770.  '  This  evening  was  read  at  the  Hall, 
the  provoked  husband,  a  comedy,  by  Mr.  M.  A.  War- 
well,  to  a  company  of  about  forty  gentlemen  and 
ladies,  by  invitation  of  the  Club.' 

The  officers  of  the  Club  were  the  late  Isaac  Lo- 
throp,  Esq.,  President;  Thomas  Lothrop,  Esq.,  Sec- 
retary, and  Elkanah  Cushman,  Steward. 


WATSON'S    HILL. 

This  hill  rises  to  an  elevated  height  on  the  south 
side  of  Town  Brook,  and  was  called  Strawberry  Hill 
by  the  first  planters.  It  was  early  owned  by  George 
Watson,  an  ancient  and  valuable  settler.  Its  Indian 
name  was  Cantaugantust;  the  signification  of  which, 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS  227 

has  not  been  ascertained,  though  diligent  inquiry  has 
been  made  for  that  purpose.  Since  the  days  of  Eliot, 
Mayo,  Cotton,  and  Treat,  the  language  and  the  race 
of  Indians  seem  to  have  shared  one  common  fate. 
It  might  become  an  interesting  subject  of  speculation 
to  consider  what  effect  would  be  produced  on  the 
minds  of  those  devoted  missionaries,  were  they  per- 
mitted to  visit  the  earth  and  witness  the  desolation 
which  has  spared  hardly  a  solitary  descendant  of  the 
numerous  converts  they  once  gathered  into  the  fold 
of  christian  hope. 

On  the  summit  of  this  hill,  Massasoit  appeared  with 
his  train  of  sixty  men,  where  hostages  were  exchang- 
ed between  him  and  the  Pilgrims,  as  a  preliminary 
step  to  the  treaty  of  peace  which  immediately  fol- 
lowed. 

This  place  was  probably  a  favorite  resort  of  the 
natives  prior  to  the  landing.  Excavations  have  been 
made  at  various  times,  and  Indian  remains  have  been 
found  there  within  a  few  years.  On  the  west  side 
shells  are  found  in  large  quantities,  evidently  the 
remnant  of  many  a  simple  Indian  feast,  for  which 
the  situation  possessed  every  advantage,  having  the 
best  springs  close  at  hand,  of  which  none  were  bet- 
ter judges  than  the  natives,  till  their  taste  became 
perverted  by  the  immoderate  use  of  the  strong  water, 
supplied  them  by  the  reckless  white  men,  who 
have  so  often  unscrupulously  employed  the  article, 
both  to  their  own  destruction  and  the  oppression  of 
that  injured  race. 


GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


FRIENDLY  INDIANS. 


It  is  no  more  than  a  simple  act  of  justice,  to  bring 
into  view  the  names  of  Massasoit,  Samoset,  Squanto 
or  Tisquantum,  Hobomock,  Tockamahamon,  Aspinot, 
and  Jyanough,  whose  names  so  often  appear,  in 
honorable  connection  with  the  pilgrims,  for  several 
years  after  their  landing.  They  deserve  grateful 
remembrance  for  their  early  friendship,  valuable 
services,  and  'unshaken  fidelity  during  the  most 
trying  period  of  our  early  history. 

Massasoit  was  probably  about  forty  years  of  age, 
at  the  time  of  his  first  interview  with  the  fathers,  as 
may  be  inferred  from  the  description  preserved  of 
his  person  and  other  circumstances  connected  with 
his  history  and  death,  which  latter  event  occurred, 
according  to  the  best  authorities,  about  the  year  1662. 

When  Edward  Winslow  was  on  his  way  to  relieve 
the  dangerous  sickness  of  Massasoit,  with  Hobo- 
mock for  his  guide,  and  a  false  rumor  prevailed  of  his 
death,  Hobomock  believing  it  true,  'manifesting  a 
troubled  spirit,  brake  forth  into  these  speeches,  '  my 
loving  sachem,  my  loving,  loving  sachem  !  Many 
have  I  known,  but  never  any  like  thee.'  And  turning 
him  to  me  said,  whilst  I  lived,  I  should  never  see  his 
like  amongst  the  Indians ;  saying  he  was  no  liar,  he 
was  not  bloody  and  cruel  like  other  Indians  ;  contin- 
uing a  long  speech  with  such  signs  of  lamentation 
and  unfeigned  sorrow,  as  it  would  have  made  the 
hardest  heart  to  relent.' 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  229 

This  spontaneous  expression  of  regard  for  Massasoit 
is  of  far  more  value  and  weight,  in  proof  of  his  excel- 
lent character,  than  volumes  of  labored  panegyric. 

Nothing  is  said  respecting  Samoset  after  the 
appearance  of  Massasoit  in  March,  1621.  He  prob- 
ably soon  returned  to  the  eastward,  near  Penobscot, 
of  which  he  was  a  native,  and  no  opportunity  perhaps 
afterwards  presented,  to  renew  the  '  welcome/  with 
which  he  first  greeted  the  pilgrims. 

History  relates  that  Hobomock  adopted  the  Chris- 
tian faith,  and  was  not  only  a  faithful  pinese  or  chief 
counsellor  of  Massasoit,  but  ever  true  to  his  English 
friends.  It  is  supposed  he  died  about  the  year  1642. 
Aspinet  was  sachem  of  Nauset  (Eastham)  and 
though  his  tribe  attacked  the  pilgrims,  their  hostility 
was  doubtless  occasioned  by  the  perfidy  of  Hunt,  the 
captain  of  an  English  vessel,  who  had  some  years 
before  carried  several  of  their  friends  away,  and  sold 
them  as  slaves. 

The  hospitality  and  personal  appearance  of  Jya- 
nough,  the  '  courteous  sachem '  of  Cummaquid  (Barn- 
stable) is  mentioned  in  history,  with  commendations, 
which  indicate  his  superiority  in  these  respects  to 
any  other  native  with  whom  the  pilgrims  held  inter- 
course. The  strong  hold  acquired  by  our  fathers  over 
the  affections  of  these  savages  of  the  wilderness,  is 
certainly  remarkable,  and  affords  the  best  evidence 
of  their  upright  intentions,  their  sense  of  justice,  and 
earnest  desire  to  inhabit  the  land  without  dispossess- 
ing the  Indian  race. 
20 


230  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


PILGRIM   HALL. 

The  Pilgrim  Hall  which  is  now  fitted  up  in  a  man- 
ner convenient  and  appropriate,  for  the  reception  of 
interesting  memorials  connected  with  the  Pilgrims, 
contains  the  following,  among  other  attractions  to  the 
antiquarian  visitor: 

The  Landing  of  the  Fathers  in  1620,  painted  by 
the  late  Henry  Sargent,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  and  gener- 
ously presented  by  him  to  the  Pilgrim  Society.  It 
was  valued  at  $3000.  The  gilt  frame  was  purchased 
by  the  Pilgrim  Society,  with  funds  raised  by  sub- 
scription, and  cost  about  $400.     It  is  13  by  16  feet. 

The  following  individuals  are  represented  in  the 
painting  attired  in  the  costume  of  their  time. 

1st.  Governor  Carver  and  his  wife  and  children. 
2d.  Governor  Bradford.  3d.  Governor  Winslow. 
4th.  Wife  of  Governor  Winslow.  5th.  Mr.  William 
Brewster,  the  Elder  of  Leyden  Church.  6th.  Cap- 
tain Miles  Standish.  7th.  Mr.  William  White,  and 
his  child  Peregrine.  8th.  Mr.  Isaac  Allerton  and  his 
wife.  9th.  Mr.  John  Alden.  10th.  Mr.  John  Turner. 
11th.  Mr.  Stephen  Hopkins,  his  wife  and  children. 
12th.  Mr.  Richard  Warren.  13th.  Mr.  Edward  Tel- 
ley.  14th.  Mr.  Samuel  Fuller.  15th.  Wife  of  Cap- 
tain Standish.  16th.  Samoset,  an  Indian  Sagamore 
or  Lord.  17th.  Mr.  John  Howland,  son  in  law  of 
Governor  Carver. 

Portraits.  1st.  Edward  Winslow,  painted  in 
London  in  1651,  copied  from  the  original,  by  C.  A. 


TTncto 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  231 


Foster..  2d.  Josiah  Winslow,  the  first  native  Gover- 
nor of  the  Old  Colony,  painted  in  London  in  1651 ; 
copied  from  the  original,  by  C.  A.  Foster.  3d.  Gov. 
Josiah  Winslow's  wife,  Penelope  Pelham  ;  copied 
from  the  original,  by  C.  A.  Foster.  4th.  General 
John  Winslow;  copied  from  the  original,  by  C.  A. 
Foster.  The  portrait  of  Gov.  Edward  Winslow  is 
the  only  one  preserved,  of  those  who  came  in  the 
Mayflower.  The  originals  of  these  paintings  belong 
to  Isaac  Winslow,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  and  are  now  in 
the  rooms  of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society. 
5th.  A  portrait  of  the  Hon.  Ephraim  Spooner,  pre- 
sented by  Thomas  Davis,  Esq.,  of  Boston.  6th.  A 
portrait  of  John  Alden,  Esq ,  of  Middleborough,  who 
died  in  1821,  aged  102  years.  He  was  the  great 
grandson  of  John  Alden,  who  came  in  the  Mayflow- 
er. Painted  and  presented  by  Cephas  Thompson, 
Esq.  7th.  A  portrait  of  Hon.  John  Trumbull,  pre- 
sented by  Col.  John  Trumbull.  This  portrait  was 
painted  in  1781.  The  face  was  executed  by  Mr. 
Stewart,  and  the  other  parts  by  Mr.  Trumbull  him- 
self, while  a  student  with  him.  8th.  A  portrait  of 
James  Thacher,  M.  D.,  late  Librarian  and  Cabinet 
keeper  of  the  Pilgrim  Society.  It  was  painted  by 
Mr.  Frothingham,  in  January,  1841,  by  order  of  the 
Pilgrim  Society,  pursuant  to  a  vote  expressing  their 
sense  of  the  valuable  services  he  had  rendered,  in 
promoting  the  objects  of  said  society.  # 

*  Dr.  Thatcher  was  appointed  Librarian  and  Cabinet  Keeper  of  the 
Pilgrim  Society  at  its  first  organization,  and  his  indefatigable  efforts 


232  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

The  bust  of  Hon.  Daniel  Webster,  presented  by- 
James  T.  Hayward,  Esq.,  of  Boston.  The  bust  of 
Hon.  John  Adams,  presented  by  Samuel  Nicholson, 
Esq. 

The  addition  of  Weir's  painting  copied  from  the 
original  at  Washington,  representing  the  memorable 
scene  of  the  embarkation  of  the  Pilgrims  at  Delftha- 
ven,  would  afford  a  valuable  addition  to  the  attrac- 
tions of  Pilgrim  Hall,  which  it  is  hoped  will  be 
made,  when  the  requisite  means  can  be  obtained,  for 
accomplishing  so  desirable  an  object. 

Among  the  antiquities  in  the  Cabinet  of  the  Pil- 
grim Society  are  the  following : 

A  chair  which  belonged  to  Gov.  Carver.  The 
sword  of  Miles  Standish,  presented  by  William  S. 
Williams,  Esq.  A  pewter  dish  which  belonged  to 
Miles  Standish,  presented  by  the  late  Joseph  Head, 
Esq.  An  iron  pot  which  belonged  to  Miles  Standish, 
presented  by  the  late  John  Watson,  Esq.  A  brass 
steelyard,  owned  by  Thomas  Southworth.  A  cane 
which  belonged  to  William  White,  presented  by  Hon. 
John  Reed.      A  dressing  case  which   belonged   to 

contributed  largely  to  the  promotion  of  its  objects.  The  following 
extract  from  the  report  of  a  Committee  of  the  Society  indicates  the 
sense  entertained  of  his  services  :  '  The  undersigned,  to  whom  was 
referred  the  report  of  Dr.  James  Thatcher,  respecting  the  Iron  Railing 
around  the  Forefather's  Rock,  report  that  the  Society  are  indebted 
to  Dr.  Thatcher  for  this  beautiful  and  costly  monument,  which  while  it 
secures  the  Pilgrim  Rock  from  further  depredation,  records  for  the 
benefit  of  posterity,  the  names  of  our  fathers,  and  affords  a  pleasing 
subject  of  contemplation  to  many  strangers  who  visit  us.' — Dr. 
Thatcher  died  May  23, 1844,  aged  90. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  233 

"IVm.  White.  The  gun-barrel  with  which  King 
Philip  was  killed,  presented  by  Mr.  John  Cook  of 
Kingston.  The  original  letter  of  king  Philip  to  Gov. 
Prince,  written  in  1662.  A  china  mug  and  leather 
pocket-book  which  belonged  to  Thomas  Clark.  A 
piece  of  ingenious  embroidery,  in  a  frame,  executed 
by  Lorea  Standish,  a  daughter  of  Miles  Standish, 
presented  by  Rev.  Lucius  Alden  of  East  Bridgewater. 
Many  curiosities  are  still  in  the  hands  of  individuals 
and  families,  which  might  add  much  to  the  interest 
of  Pilgrim  Hall. 

There  is  also  a  library  consisting  of  miscellaneous 
works  presented  by  various  individuals  since  the 
formation  of  the  Pilgrim  Society  in  1820.  The  Iron 
Railing  in  front  of  Pilgrim  Hall,  enclosing  a  part  of 
Forefathers'  Rock,  was  designed  by  the  late  George 
Brimmer  Esq.,  of  Boston.  The  names  inscribed 
upon  it  —  41  in  number  —  are  those  who  signed  the 
Compact  on  board  the  Mayflower,  in  Cape  Cod 
harbor,  Nov.  11,  1620.  This  railing  cost  $410,  and 
the  funds  were  obtained  by  subscription. 

The  records  of  the  late  Librarian  and  Cabinet 
Keeper  abound  with  evidences  of  great  efforts  on 
the  part  of  the  Plymouth  ladies,  at  various  times,  in 
procuring  means  to  aid  the  Society  in  promoting  its 
objects.  Besides  the  subscriptions  obtained  in  Ply- 
mouth, Boston  and  other  places,  by  means  of  which 
the  Hall  was  originally  built,  donations  have  been 
received  from  the  heirs  of  the  late  Samuel  Davis 
Esq.  of  the  lot  on  which  the  Hall  stands ;  from  the 


234  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

late  Dr.  Nathaniel  Lothrop  the  sum  of  $500,  and  the 
late  Miss  Rebecca  Frazier,  of  Duxbnry,  $500,  which 
last  bequest  was  specially  to  be  applied  for  the  pur- 
pose of  procuring  appropriate  paintings. 

Pilgrim  Hall.  The  corner  stone,  containing  his- 
torical inscriptions,  was  laid  Sept.  1,  1824,  with 
religious  ceremonies.  This  monumental  edifice  is 
situated  on  Court  street,  it  is  seventy  by  forty  feet, 
constructed  of  tin  wrought  split  granite  in  a  plain  and 
substantial  mode  of  architecture,  contains  a  dining 
room  on  the  basement,  and  a  spacious  hall  above. 
The  ground  on  which  it  stands  was  a  part  of  the 
extensive  estate  of  Mr.  Thomas  Southworth  in  16G8, 
and  is  probably  comprised  within  the  'four  acres 
given  him  by  his  mother,  Mrs.  Alice  Bradford,'  the 
relict  of  Gov.  Bradford.  When  Plymouth  was  first 
planted,  there  was  a  north  and  a  south  common  field 
for  tillage  for  several  years,  on  either  side  the  town 
near  the  shore.  This  falls  within  the  'north  field,' 
and  probably  within  the  stockade  and  palisadoes  of 
nearly  half  a  mile  in  compass.  Just  below  it,  abutting 
on  '  the  shore  were  the  six  acre  brick  kiln  field  '  of  the 
first  planters.  The  eastern  prospect  from  it  is  inter- 
esting, bringing  into  view  the  harbor,  the  near  shores 
of  Duxbnry  and  Marshfield,  the  highlands  of  Mano- 
met,  the  ocean,  and  occasionally  in  the  summer,  the 
looming  cliffs  of  Cape  Cod  —  the  first  resting  place 
of  the  pilgrims. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  235 


CHAPTER    XI. 

Genealogy  of  the   Pilgrims  —  Table  of  Longevity  — 
Closing  Remarks  on  the  Pilgrims. 

The  following  genealogical  tables  are  all  that  the 
remaining  pages  of  this  work  will  admit ;  which  have 
been  carefully  revised  by  a  valuable  antiquarian 
friend,  Nathaniel  B.  ShurtlefF,  M.  D.,  whose  aid  in 
this  part  of  the  work  is  gratefully  acknowledged. 

JOHN  CARVER  was  the  first  Governor  of  Plymouth  and 
stands  at  the  head  of  those  who  signed  the  Compact  on  board 
the  Mayflower  in  1620.  He  had  previously  been  an  active  and 
efficient  agent  of  the  Leyden  church,  in  the  various  and  difficult 
negotiations  which  preceded  the  embarkation  of  the  Pilgrims  for 
America.  He  was  suddenly  seized,  while  laboring  in  the  field,  with 
a  violent  pain  in  the  head,  by  some  supposed  to  have  been  caused 
by  what  is  called  a  stroke  of  the  sun,  and  died  April  5th,  1621.  His 
wife  died  about  six  weeks  after.  His  family  on  their  arrival  in 
1620  consisted  of  eight  persons,  including  John  Howland  and  his 
wife  Elizabeth  and  perhaps  one  or  more  children,  and  Jasper,  the  boy 
of  Gov.  Carver,  who  died  Dec.  6,  1620.  The  name  of  Carver  does 
not  appear  in  the  division  of  land  in  1 623,  or  the  division  of  cattle  in 
1627.  It  is  still  difficult  to  make  out  the  number  of  eight  in  Gov. 
Carver's  family,  without  presuming  (as  is  suggested  by  Dr.  Shurt- 
lefF) that  Henry  Samson  and  Humility  Cooper,  who  came  in  the 
Mayflower  and  have  no  places  assigned  to  them,  were  of  that 
number.  Judge  Mitchell  says,  in  his  History  of  Bridgewater,  '  A 
family  however,  of  this  name,  was  in  Marshfield  ever  after  1638; 
at  which  date  Robert  Carver  had  a  grant  of  land  at  Green's  harbor, 


236 


GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


and  died  there  1680,  aged  86.  John  Carver  (son  of  Robert,  perhaps) 
d.  in  Marshfield  1679,  ae.  42,  leaving  a  widow  Milicent,  who  was 
daughter  of  William  Ford,  and  eight  children.  William  Carver, 
eldest  son  of  John,  died  at  Marshfield  1760,  ae.  102,  and  is  noticed 
by  Gov.  Hutchinson  and  Dr.  Belknap,  in  the  Biography  of  Gov. 
Carver,  as  the  grandson  of  the  Governor ;  but  in  Pemberton's  Ms. 
Journal,  in  the  library  of  the  Mass.  Historical  Society,  he  is  called 
the  nephew  of  Gov.  Carver.'  Joshua  Carver,  late  of  Marshfield, 
aged  over  90,  was  of  the  same  family.  John  Carver  (son  of  John 
probably)  lived  in  Plymouth,  went  from  Marshfield  1680,  m.  Mary, 
daughter  of  Jonathan  Barnes ;  and  his  son  deacon  Josiah,  d.  in 
Plymouth  1751,  ae.  63.  Many  of  the  name  still  live  in  the  town 
and  county  of  Plymouth.' 

ROBERT  CUSHMAN.  Mr.  Cushman  was  a  member  of  the 
Leyden  Church,  and  was  twice  appointed  as  their  agent  to  negotiate 
with  the  Virginia  company,  '  and  see  if  the  King  would  give  them 
liberty  of  conscience  there,'  under  the  royal  seal ;  —  and  a  third  time 
was  sent  to  England  from  Leyden,  to  receive  money  of  the  mer- 
chant adventurers  of  London,  previous  to  the  embarkation  from 
Holland,  and  to  provide  for  the  voyage  to  New  England ;  which  he 
did  by  procuring  the  Mayflower  and  Mr.  Clark,  the  pilot.  Perhaps 
no  individual  of  the  Church  possessed  in  a  higher  degree  the  qual- 
ifications required  for  discharging  the  important  duties  incident  to 
the  trust  assigned  him.  He  embarked  in  the  Mayflower,  from 
Southampton,  in  company  with  the  Speedwell,  which  last  vessel, 
after  proceeding  some  leagues  to  sea,  received  so  much  injury,  that 
both  ships  were  compelled  to  return.  Mr.  Cushman  remained  in 
England  to  keep  together  those  that  were  left  behind,  owing  to  the 
accident  to  the  smaller  vessel;  and  afterwards  in  1621  came  over  in 
the  Fortune. 

He  brought  with  him  his  only  son,  Thomas,  then  14  years  of  age. 
He  returned  to  England  on  business  of  the  Colony,  in  the  Fortune, 
Dec.  10,  1621,  and  never  afterwards  visited  the  country.  He  was 
actively  engaged  in  promoting  the  interests  of  the  colony,  particu- 
larly in  relation  to  the  discontent  which  was  soon  manifested  among 
the  merchant  adventurers.    His  correspondence  with  Gov.  Bradford 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE     PILGRIMS.  237 

indicates  his  ability,  and  his  efforts  contributed  largely  to  the 
arrangements  which  eventually  dissolved  the  perplexing  connection 
between  them  and  the  pilgrims.  While  in  Plymouth  he  delivered 
a  sermon  on  the  duties  of  self-denial  —  the  first  ever  printed  of 
those  delivered  in  New  England.  He  died  in  the  year  1626,  an 
event  deeply  lamented  at  the  time,  —  an  irreparable  loss  to  the 
colony ;  which  event  is  thus  mentioned  by  Gov.  Bradford :  '  Our 
captain  also  brings  us  notice  of  the  death  of  our  ancient  friend,  Mr. 
Cushman,  who  was  our  right  hand  with  the  adventurers,  and  for 
divers  years  has  managed  all  our  business  with  them  to  our  great 
advantage.' 

His  son  Thomas  was  educated  by  Gov.  Bradford,  and  was  chosen 
Elder  of  the  Church,  on  the  death  of  Elder  Brewster,  and  was 
ordained  to  that  office  April  6,  1649.  He  married  Mary  Allerton, 
daughter  of  Isaac  Allerton,  and  died  Dec.  11th,  1691,  aged  84. 

His  children,  as  shown  by  his  will  and  otherwise,  were  Thomas, 
Isaac,  Elkanah,  Fear,  Eleazer,  Sarah  Hook,  and  Mary  Harlow. 
Isaac  was  settled  in  the  ministry  at  Plympton,  October  27th,  1698. 

WILLIAM  BRADFORD,  (Gov.)  b.  1588  at  *Austerfield  in 
England,  came  to  N.  England,  with  his  wife  Dorothy,  in  the  May- 
flower. She  was  the  daughter  of  Mr.  May,  and  was  drowned 
at  Cape  Cod  Harbor,  Dec.  7,  1620.  He  married  August  14,  1623, 
his  2d  wife.  Mrs.  Alice  Southworth,  a  woman  of  great  worth,  the 
widow  of  Constant  Southworth,  of  England,  and  daughter  of  Mr. 
Carpenter.  She  died  March  26,  1670,  aged  about  80.  He  died 
May  9th,  1657,  in  his  69th  year. 

By  his  1st  wife  he  had  John,  born  in  England,  who  married  Mar- 
tha Bourne,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Anne,  of  Marshfield,  and 
died  without  issue  at  Norwich,  Conn.,  in  1678.  Martha,  the  widow, 
married  Lt.  Thomas  Tracy,  and  died  in  1689. 

By  his  2d  wife  he  had  William,  the  major,  b.  June  17, 1624;  Mercy, 
who  m.  Benjamin  Vermayes  Dec.  21,  1648  ;  and  Joseph,  b.  1630. 

William  Bradford,  Jr.,  (major  and  deputy  Governor,)  was  son  of 
the  governor,  and  m.  1st  Alice  Richards,  of  Weymouth,  and  had 

*  In  previous  histories  this  name  has  been  spelt  Ansterfield. 

20* 


233  GUIDE    TO   PLYMOUTH,   AND 

John,  b.  Feb.  20,  1652-3,  d.  1736,  m.  Mercy  Warren,  ( (laugh,  of  Jo- 
seph and  Priscilla,)  in  1674;  she  b.  Sept.  23,  1653,  and  d. 
1748. 
William,  b.  March  11,  1654-5,  d.  1687,  m.  Rebecca  Bartlett,  (daugh. 
of  Benj.)  in  1679. 

Thomas,  lived  at  Norwich. 

Samuel,  b.  1668,  d.  1714,  m.  Hannah  Rogers. 

Alice,  m.  Major  James  Fitch  of  Norwich. 

Hannah,  m.  Joshua  Ripley  of  Hingham,  Nov.  28, 

1682.    They  had  two  children,  and  then  removed  to  Con- 
necticut. 

Mercy,  m.  Steel  of  Hartford. 

Melatiah,  m.  John  Steel  of  Norwich. 

Mary, 

Sarah, 
Alice,  his  1st  wife,  died  Dec.  12,  1671,  aged  about  44,  and  he 

married  for  his  2d  wife  Mrs.  Mary  Holmes,  widow  of  Rev.  John,  of 

Duxbury,  and  daughter  of  John  Wood  alias  Attwood  of  Plymouth. 

By  her  he  had 

Israel,  m.  Sarah  Bartlett,  (daughter  of  Benj.  Jr.) 

David,  d.  1730,  m.  Elizabeth  Finney  in  1714. 

SS,     }  Hved  in  Kingston. 

Mary,  his  2d  wife,  died ;  and  he  m.  for  3d  wife  Mrs.  Wiswell,  a 
widow,  and  had  a  son,  Joseph. 

The  Deputy  Governor  died  Feb.  20, 1703-4,  aged  79. 

Joseph  Bradford,  (son  of  the  Gov.)  b.  1630,  m.  Jael  Hobart, 
daugh.  of  Rev.  Peter  of  Hingham,  May  25,  1664,  and  had  Joseph 
and  Elisha. 

He  died  in  1715,  aged  84  ;  and  his  wife  in  1730,  aged  88. 

GOV.  EDWARD  WINSLOW  was  the  son  of  Edward 
Winslow,  of  Droitwich  and  Kempsey,  in  the  County  of  Worcester, 
England,  by  Magdalen  his  second  wife,  and  was  born  in  1595.  He 
joined  the  Pilgrims  at  Ley  den  a  few  years  previous  to  their  embar- 
kation for  America,  and  perhaps  no  individual  of   the  number 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  239 

contributed  more  largely  to  the  establishment  and  success  of  the 
Old  Colony. 

He  visited  England  in  the  year  1624,  and  on  his  return  brought 
the  first  cattle  into  New  England,  which  were  committed  to  him 
and  Mr.  Allerton  to  sell  for  the  company.  He  possessed  great 
influence  at  the  court  of  Cromwell,  and  at  various  periods  was 
instrumental  in  defending  both  the  colonies  of  Plymouth  and  Mas- 
sachusetts against  the  misrepresentations  of  their  enemies.  He 
removed  to  Marshfield  early,  not  far  from  1637,  and  built  a  house 
which  stood  in  a  northeasterly  direction,  not  far  from  the  present 
Winslow  House.  The  Winslow  house  still  standing  is  probably 
about  150  years  old,  and  is  said  to  have  been  built  by  Hon.  Isaac 
Winslow.  Gov.  Winslow's  place  of  residence  was  called  Careswell, 
named  from  a  family  seat  of  his  ancestors  in  England.  Gov.  Wins- 
low was  highly  esteemed  at  the  court  of  Cromwell,  and  was 
appointed  by  him  one  of  three  Commissioners  of  arbitration, 
between  the  English  nation  and  the  United  Provinces. 

His  first  wife  to  whom  he  was  married  a  short  time  before  the 
embarkation  at  Delfthaven,  was  named  Elizabeth.  She  died  March 
24th,  1621.  His  second  wife  was  Susanna,  the  widow  of  William 
White,  to  whom  he  was  married  May  12,  1621,  which  was  the  first 
marriage  in  New  England.  His  children  were  1st,  Edward ;  2d, 
John;  both  of  whom  died  young;  3d,  Josiah,  born  in  1628;  4th, 
Elizabeth.  His  son,  Gov.  Josiah  Winslow,  m.  Penelope  Pelham,  a 
daughter  of  Herbert  Pelham,  in  1657.  Elizabeth  m.  1st,  John 
Brooke,*  and  2dly,  George  Curwin.  The  children  of  Gov.  Josiah 
Winslow  who  survived  him  were  Elizabeth,  b.  in  1664,  and  Isaac,  b. 
in  1670.  He  died  1680,  aged  52,  and  his  wife  in  1703.  Elizabeth 
m.  Sarah  Burton,  and  Isaac  t  m.  Sarah,  daughter  of  John  Wensley, 
in  1700,  and  died  in  1738,  aged  68,  and  his  wife  in  1753,  aged  80. 

*  Corrected  from  Gilbert  Brookes,  on  authority  of  Mr.  Shattuck. 

t  The  following  remarks  respecting  him,  were  copied  from  an  Almanac 
which  belonged  to  the  Rev.  Daniel  Lewis  of  Pembroke.  <  1738,  Dec.  7th.  In 
the  Evening  dyed  at  his  seat  in  Marshfield  the  Hon.  Col.  Isaac  Winslow, 
Esq.  in  the  year  of  his  age.    He  was  every  way  a  gentleman  ;  easie  of 

access,  facetious,  generous,  of  good  natural  powers,  universally  beloved. 
As  to  stature,  h«  was  tall  and  pr«tty  gross,  of  a  noble  aspect.' 


240  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Their  son,  Gen.  John  Winslow,  born  in  1703,  m.  Mary  Little  in 
1726,  and  had  Pelham,  b.  in  1737,  and  Isaac,  b.  1739.  He  died  in 
1774,  aged  71.  His  son,  Pelham,  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in 
1753.  He  married  Joanna,  daughter  of  Gideon  White.  He  died  at 
Long  Island,  New  York,  aged  45,  leaving  two  daughters,  Mary,  who 
married  the  late  Henry  Warren,  Esq.  and  Joanna,  who  m.  Dr. 
Nathan  Hayward,  late  sheriff  of  Plymouth  County. 

Dr.  Isaac,  the  second  son  of  Gen.  John  Winslow,  married  a 
daughter  of  Dr.  Charles  Stockbridge  of  Scituate,  and  d.  in  1819, 
aged  80  years.  He  had  a  son  John,  b.  in  1774,  who  died  at  Natchez 
in  1822,  aged  48.  The  only  surviving  son  of  John  is  Isaac  Winslow 
of  Boston.  He  is  the  only  male  descendant  of  Gov.  Edward  Wins- 
low, who  bears  the  family  name  in  New  England. 

JOHN  WINSLOW  was  the  brother  of  Edward,  and  came  in 
the  Fortune  Nov.  1621.  He  was  b.  in  England  in  1597,  and  d. 
1674.  He  lived  in  Plymouth  till  about  the  year  1657  at  Plain 
Dealing,  about  two  miles  from  town,  when  he  removed  to  Boston. 
He  was  frequently  employed  in  the  early  transactions  of  the 
town,  as  appears  from  the  records.  While  an  inhabitant  of  Boston 
he  lived  and  died  in  Spring  Lane.  His  house  stood  at  the  comer  of 
Devonshire  Street,  on  the  same  land  now  occupied  by  Minot's 
Building.  He  married  Mary  Chilton  before  1627,  daughter  of 
James  Chilton,  who  came  in  the  Mayflower  and  died  the  first  winter. 
She  died  at  Boston  in  1679.  His  children  were  1st,  John,  who 
married  Elizabeth,  and  then  Judith,  and  died  in  1683.  2d,  Susanna, 
who  m.  Robert  Latham  of  Bridgewater,  about  1649,  and  died 
before  1683.  3d,  Mary,  b.  1630,  d.  1663,  m.  Edward  Gray  of 
Plymouth  Jan.  16,  1650-1.  4th,  Sarah,  who  m.  Miles  Standish,  son 
of  Captain  Standish,  1660,  Tobias  Paine  in  1665,  and  afterwards 
Richard  Middlecott,  and  d.  1726.  5th,  Edward,  b.  1634,  d.  1682, 
m.  1st,  Sarah  Hilton  of  Plymouth,  2d,  Elizabeth  Hutchinson  of 
Boston,  granddaughter  of  the  celebrated  Ann  Hutchinson.  6th, 
Joseph,  d.  1679,  m.  Sarah.  7th,  Samuel,  b.  1641,  d.  1680,  m. 
Hannah,  daughter  of  Walter  Briggs.  8th,  Isaac,  born  1644,  d.  1670, 
m.  Mary  Nowell,  1666.  9th,  Benjamin ;  b.  1653,  d.  between  1673 
and  1676,  and  probably  never  married. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  241 

KENELM  WTNSLOW,  (brother  of  Gov.  Edw.)  He  m.  Eleanor, 
widow  of  John  Adams,  in  1634.  His  children  were  Kenelm,  Na- 
thaniel, Job,  and  Eleanor.    He  was  b.  in  1599,  and  d.  1672. 

JOSIAS  WINSLOW,  (brother  of  Gov.  Edw.)  was  b.  in  1605,  d. 
in  1674.  He  m.  Margaret,  daughter  of  Thomas  Bourne,  and  had 
Elizabeth,  Jonathan,  Mary,  Rebecca,  Hannah,  and  Margaret. 

GILBERT  WINSLOW,  another  brother,  came  in  the  May- 
flower, was  born  1600,  and  died  out  of  the  Colony,  probably  never 
having  been  married. 

ELDER  WM.  BREWSTER  came  in  the  Mayflower  with  his 
wife,  his  sons  Love  and  Wrestling,  daughter  in  law  Lucretia,  (wife 
of  Jonathan.)  and  grandson  William,  (son  of  Jonathan.)  He  was 
born  in  1559  or  1560,  and  died  April  16,  1644,  and  had  three  sons, 
1st,  Jonathan,  2d,  Love,  3d,  Wrestling,  and  two  daughters,  Fear 
and  Patience. 

Wrestling  died  before  his  father,  and  without  evidence  of  having 
been  married. 

Jonathan  had  a  wife  Lucretia,  and  four  children,  William,  Mary, 
Jonathan,  and  Benjamin  ;  the  eldest  born  in  England.  He  moved 
from  Duxbury  to  Norwich,  Conn,  after  1648  with  his  wife  and  sons. 
William  the  eldest  was  in  the  Indian  wars  in  1645.  His  daughter 
Mary  married  John  Turner  of  Scituate,  Nov.  12,  1645.  His  son 
Jonathan  was  bom  about  1627.  Benjamin  married  Anna  Dart  in 
1659  at  New  London,  and  had  Anna,  b.  Sept.  1662,  Jonathan,  1664, 
Daniel,  1667,  William,  1669,  and  Benjamin,  1673. 

Love,  son  of  the  elder,  m.  Sarah  Collier  (daughter  of  William) 
May  15,  1634,  and  d.  in  1650.  He  had  Sarah,  who  m.  Benjamin 
Bartlett  in  1656  ;  Nathaniel,  who  d.  1676  ;  William,  who  m.  Lydia 
Partridge  and  d.  Nov.  3,  1723  (she  d.  Feb.  2,  1742) ;  Wrestling,  who 
m.  Mary,  had  a  family,  and  d.  in  1696. 

Fear  m.  Isaac  Allerton  in  1626,  and  d.  1633. 

Patience  m.  Gov.  Prence,  Aug.  5th,  1624,  and  d.  1634. 

The  Brewster  family  left  Plymouth  early,  and  went  to  Duxbury 
and  afterwards  part  went  to  Connecticut. 


242  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

ISAAC  ALLERTON  came  over  in  the  Mayflower,  1620, 
with  his  wife,  Mary,  and  four  children,  Bartholomew,  Remember, 
Mary,  and  Sarah.  Mary  married  Elder  Thomas  Cushman  and  died 
at  Plymouth  in  1699,  above  90  years  of  age.  Her  husband  died  Dec. 
11,  1691,  in  his  84th  year.  Sarah  married  Mr.  Moses  Maverick  of 
Marblehead  and  died  before  1656,  at  Marblehead,  and  her  husband 
died  Jan.  28,  1686,  aged  76.  Mr.  Allerton's  1st  wife,  Mary,  died  Feb. 
25, 1620-1,  and  he  married  in  1626  his  2d  wife,  Fear  Brewster,  daugh- 
ter of  Elder  William  Brewster,  by  whom  he  had  one  son,  Isaac,  who 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1650.  Fear  Allerton  died  in 
1633,  and  Mr.  Allerton  married  a  third  wife,  named  Joanna,  who 
was  living  in  1684,  but  by  whom  he  had  no  children.  He  died  at 
New  Haven  in  1659,  and  must  have  been  over  70  years  of  age. 
Mr.  Allerton  was  chosen  the  first  and  only  assistant  to  Governor 
Bradford  in  1621,  and  continued  to  be  elected  to  that  office  until 
1624,  when  the  number  was  enlarged  to  five,  owing  to  the  greatly 
increased  number  of  inhabitants  of  the  colony ;  he  was  sent  five  or 
more  times  to  England  as  agent  of  the  colony,  and  was  one  of  the 
most  enterprising  of  the  pilgrims.  He  introduced  the  fisheries  in 
most  parts  of  New  England,  and  was  the  first  individual  who  met 
Governor  Winthrop  on  his  arrival  before  he  landed,  he  being  on  a 
voyage  to  Pemaquid.  In  point  of  property,  he  ranked  first  in  the 
Plymouth  colony,  paying  taxes  to  the  amount  of  £3  lis  when  the 
next  in  wealth  paid  £2  5s,  and  was  one  of  the  eight  who  assumed 
the  company's  debts  in  1627.  He  resided  at  various  times  at  Plym- 
outh, Salem,  Marblehead,  New  Amsterdam,  and  New  Haven,  and 
had  dealings  all  over  New  England,  Delaware,  Virginia,  Barbadoes, 
&c.  His  liberality  was  unbounded,  as  may  be  inferred  from  his 
unwillingness  to  join  in  the  persecutions  against  Roger  Williams 
and  the  Quakers,  and  from  the  following  extract  from  the  Old 
Colony  Records,  p.  43.*     Mr.  Sherley  in  a  letter  to  the  Governor, 

♦'1633  decbr.  2d.  Whereas  Mr.  Will.  Bradford  was  appointed  in  the 
behalfe  of  the  Court  to  enter  upon  the  estate  of  Godbert  Godbertson  and 
Zarah  his  wife,  and  to  discharge  the  debts  of  the  said  Godbert  so  far  as  his 
estate  will  make  good.  And  whereas  the  greatest  part  of  his  debts  are 
•wing  to  Mr.  Isaack  Allerton  of  Plymouth  merchant  late  brother  ©f  the  said 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  243 

speaking  of  him,  says,  'he  hath  been  a  trusty  honest  friend  to  you 
all,  either  there  or  here.' 

The  descendants  of  Isaac  Allerton  are  numerous  in  New  Eng- 
land, though  none  of  them  are  known  to  bear  his  name. 

MYLES  STANDISH.  The  name  and  deeds  of  this  distinguished 
individual  have  often  been  the  subject  of  consideration  in  the  pre- 
ceding pages,  and  it  is  therefore  here  proposed  only  to  give  some 
account  of  his  family  and  descendants. 

His  first  wife,  Eose,  fell  an  early  victim  to  the  disease  which 
during  the  winter  of  1620-1  caused  such  fearful  desolation  among 
the  Pilgrims. 

His  second  wife  was  named  Barbara.  He  removed  to  Duxbury 
about  the  year  1 630,  and  lived  at  Captain's  hill,  which  place  has 
ever  since  borne  this  name. 

He  died  there  in  1656,  aged  about  72.  His  wife  survived  him,  but 
the  exact  time  of  her  death  is  unknown.  His  children  were  Alex- 
ander, Miles,  Josiah,  Charles,  Lora,  and  John.  Lora  died  before  him. 

Alexander  was  admitted  a  freeman  in  1648,  and  lived  at  Captain's 
Hill  in  the  same  house  in  which  his  father  lived.  This  house  was 
burnt,  the  exact  time  of  which  occurrence  however  is  not  known. 
He  m.  first  Sarah,  the  daughter  of  Hon.  John  Alden,  and  had  Miles, 
Ebenezer,  born  1672,  Lorah,  Lydia,  Mercy,  Sarah,  and  Elizabeth. 
Upon  the  decease  of  his  wife,  he  m.  Desire,  widow  of  Israel  Holmes, 
(her  maiden  name  was  Doten,)  and  had  Thomas,  Ichabod,  and 
Desire,  born  in  Marshfield,  1689.  He  died  in  Duxbury  in  1702,  and 
his  widow  in  Marshfield,  1723. 

Miles,  2d  son  of  Capt.  Standish,  removed  to  Boston  and  m.  Sarah, 
daughter  of  John  Winslow,  where  he  died  without  children. 

Ensign  Josiah  Standish  m.  first  Mary,  dau.  of  John  Dingley,  of 
Marshfield,  in  1654,  who  died  the  same  year.  He  then  m.  Sarah, 
the  daughter  of  Samuel  Allen  of  Brain  tree.  He  removed  to  Bridge- 

Zarah,  the  said  Isaack  hath  given  free  leave  to  all  other  his  creditors  to  be 
fully  discharged  before  he  receive  anything  of  his  particular  debts  to  himself, 
desiring  rather  to  lose  all  than  other  men  should  lose  any.' 


244  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

water,  but  soon  after  returned  to  Duxbury,  where  he  was  chosen  a 
Selectman,  Deputy,  and  one  of  the  council  of  war.  He  removed  to 
Norwich  in  Connecticut  probably  in  1686.  His  children  were  Miles, 
Josiah,  Samuel,  Israel,  Mary,  Lois,  Mehetabel,  Martha,  and  Mercy. 
Charles  and  John,  the  other  sons  of  Capt.  Myles  Standish,  proba- 
bly died  young,  as  no  account  of  them  appears  after  their  father's 
decease. 

JOHN  ALDEN  arrived  in  the  Mayflower  in  1620,  being  then 
about  22  years  of  age.  He  married  Priscilla  Mullins,  the  daughter 
of  William  Mullins.^  He  early  removed  to  Duxbury  and  built  a 
house  near  Eagle-tree  pond,  where  the  ruins  of  his  well  are  still  to 
be  seen.  His  farm  was  one  of  the  best  in  Duxbury,  and  still  re- 
mains in  the  possession  of  his  descendants.  His  children  were 
John,  Joseph,  David,  Jonathan,  Elizabeth,  Sarah,  Ruth,  and  Mary. 

John  settled  in  Boston  before  Dec.  1659,  and  had  a  daughter 
Mary  by  his  first  wife  Elizabeth.  He  married  for  his  second  wife 
Elizabeth  Everill,t  widow  of  Abiel  deceased,  April  1st,  1660  by 
whom  he  had  12  children,  several  of  whom  lived  and  had  issue. 
He  died  March  14th,  1702. 

Joseph  (2d  son  of  John  the  pilgrim)  was  an  early  settler  in 
Bridgewater.     He  married  Mary,  the  daughter  of  Moses  Simmons. 

David  (the  third  son)  was  a  representative  from  Duxbury  to  the 
General  Court,  and  in  1690  an  assistant.  He  married  Mary, 
daughter  of  Constant  Southworth,  and  had  issue. 

Jonathan  (4th  son)  inherited  the  ancient  homestead  of  his  father. 
He  married  Abigail  Ralat  Dec.  10th,  1672,  by  whom  he  had  four 
sons.    He  died  in  Feb.  1697,  aged  about  70. 

*  William  Mullins  died  the  spring  of  1621.  His  family  consisted  of  five 
persons.  There  exists  no  account  of  his  wife,  or  children,  excepting  Pris- 
cilla. There  was  a  William  Mullins  in  Duxbury,  about  1642  ;  but  whether 
a  son  or  not  the  writer  has  not  been  able  positively  to  ascertain,  or  whether 
he  left  any  descendants. 

t  This  name  has  been  usually  copied  Ewrill.  Dr.  Shurtleff,  who  is  con- 
versant with  the  old  records  of  Boston  and  the  old  families,  makes  the 
correction. 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  245 

Elizabeth,  the  oldest  daughter  of  John  Alden,  was  the  wife 
of  Wm.  Paybody,  and  died  at  Little  Compton,  Rhode  Island,  May 
31st,  1717,  aged  93. 

Sarah  m.  Alexander  Standish ;  Ruth  m.  John  Bass  of  Braintree  5 
and  Mary  m.  Thomas  Delano. 

The  subject  of  this  brief  notice,  was  the  last  survivor  of  those 
who  signed  the  Compact  on  board  the  Mayflower,  and  his  long  and 
valuable  life  was  distinguished  for  eminent  services  rendered  to  the 
Colony.  He  was  assistant  to  ail  the  governors  of  Plymouth  Col- 
ony, except  Gov.  Carver,  and  occupied  that  place  from  the  year  1650 
to  1686.  He  died  Sept.  12th,  1687,  aged  88.  The  time  of  his 
wife's  decease  is  not  certainly  known.  That  she  survived  him  is 
probable  from  the  fact  that  a  receipt  is  recorded,  given  by  the  heirs 
to  Jonathan  Alden  who  administered  on  the  estate  of  his  father,  to 
which  the  name  of  Priscilla  Alden  is  annexed.  As  there  was  no 
daughter  of  that  name  the  inference  is  strong  that  she  was  the 
widow. 

SAMUEL  FULLER  came  in  the  Mayflower  in  1620,  and  was 
the  first  Physician  and  Surgeon  in  New  England.  He  rendered 
important  services  to  the  Colony  at  Salem,  both  in  the  line  of  his 
profession,  and  in  relation  to  their  spiritual  concerns,  as  appears 
from  a  letter  of  Gov.  Endicott,  dated  May  11th,  1629,  to  Gov. 
Bradford,  in  which  he  observes,  '  I  acknowledge  myself  much 
bound  to  you,  for  your  kind  love  and  care  in  sending  Mr.  Puller 
amongst  us,  and  rejoice  much  that  I  am  by  him  satisfied  touching 
your  judgment  of  the  outward  form  of  God's  worship.'  He  ren- 
dered similar  sendees  to  the  company  of  Gov.  Winthrop  soon  after 
their  arrival  —  as  appears  from  his  letter  to  Gov.  Bradford  dated 
at  Massachusetts,  June  28,  1630,  at  which  time  they  were  severely 
afflicted  with  sickness.  He  was  deacon  of  the  church  in  Plymouth 
till  his  death,  which  was  sometime  between  July  30  and  October 
28th,  1633.  His  will,  dated  July  30th,  and  proved  Oct.  28th,  1633, 
is  the  earliest  on  record,  in  which  he  mentions  his  wife  Bridget,  as 
then  being  very  sick,  and  his  son  Samuel  and  daughter  as  both 
quite  young.    His  wife  recovered  from  her  sickness  and  was  alive 


246  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

in  1664;  after  which  period  nothing  more  has  been  found  respecting 
her,  after  diligent  enquiry  by  the  writer.  Nor  has  similar  enquiry 
respecting  his  daughter  Mercy  proved  successful.  Samuel,  the  son, 
remained  in  Plymouth  till  his  settlement  as  the  first  minister  of 
Middleboro',  Dec.  26th,  1694,  at  which  place  he  had  occasionally 
preached  during  the  16  preceding  years.  The  following  extract  is 
copied  from  the  History  of  Rehoboth.  '  It  was  voted  by  the  town 
to  send  a  letter  to  Samuel  Fuller,  of  Plymouth,  that  if  he  will  come 
upon  trial  according  to  his  own  proposition,  the  town  is  willing 
to  accept  of  him ;  and  in  case  the  town  and  he  do  accord,  the  Town 
is  willing  to  accomodate  him  in  the  best  way  they  can  for  his  en- 
couragement.' It  was  also  voted  and  agreed  that  his  mother  should 
be  sent  for  to  see  if  she  be  willing  to  come  and  dwell  amongst  us,  to 
attend  on  the  office  of  midwife,  to  answer  the  town's  necessity, 
which  is  great.'  These  propositions  were  probably  never  accepted. 
He  died  August  17,  1695,  as  appears  from  his  grave-stone,  in  the 
7lst  year  of  his  age.  His  will  was  proved  October  1st,  1695.  He 
mentions  his  wife  Elizabeth,  Samuel  as  his  oldest  son,  John  as  his 
second,  and  Isaac  as  his  youngest  son,  under  age.  His  daughters 
mentioned  were,  Mercy,  wife  of  Daniel  Cole,  Experience,  the  wife  of 
James  Wood,  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Samuel  Eaton,  and  Hannah 
Fuller* 

WILLIAM  WHITE.  The  name  of  Mr.  White  is  the  sixth  in 
order  subscribed  to  the  compact.    He  died  in  1621,  but  his  age  is  not 

*  In  the  Will  of  Dr.  Samuel  Fuller  various  bequests  were  made  as  tokens 
of  regard,,  among  others  to  Gov.  Wimhrop,  Endicot  and  Roger  Williams. 
That  to  Roger  Williams  is  in  these  words,  '  Also  to  my  son  Samuel  two 
acres  of  land  situated  and  being  at  Strawberry  Hill,  if  Mr.  Roger  Williams 
refuse  to  accept  of  them,  as  formerly  he  hath  done.'  The  will  was  recorded 
by  Edward  Winslow,  while  governor  of  the  Colony.  Mention  is  made  in 
the  will  of  his  l  kinsman  Samuel,  now  living  in  my  house,'  and  he  again  calls 
him  cousin,  (synonymous  with  nephew,)  from  which  it  is  inferred  that  Ed- 
ward Fuller,  who  came  in  the  Mayflower  and  died  the  first  winter,  was  the 
brother  of  Dr.  Fuller,  and  that  Samuel  called  cousin  was  the  son  of  Edward, 
whose  family  consisted  of  three  persons,  as  appears  from  his  signature  to  the 
Compact. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  247 

mentioned.  His  wife,  Susanna,  married  Got.  Edward  "Winslow, 
May  12th,  1621.  His  oldest  son,  Resolved,  married  Judith,  daughter 
William  Vassal,  of  Scituate,  in  1640.  Their  children  were  William, 
b.  April  10,  1642.  John,  March  11,  1644.  Samuel,  March  13,  1646. 
Resolved,  Nov.  12,  1647.  Anna,  June  4,  1649.  Elizabeth,  June  4, 
1652.  Josiah,  Sept.  29,  1654.  Further  information  is  desirable 
respecting  this  family.  Judge  Mitchell  observes  that  Resolved 
White  continued  in  Marshfield  till  1670,  at  which  time  he  appears 
to  have  emigrated  to  some  other  part  of  New  England.'  His  wife 
died  about  this  time  as  appears  from  the  Marshfield  records.  The 
last  notice  of  him  we  have  seen  on  record  is  found  in  Gov.  Josiah 
Winslow's  will,  dated  in  1675,  where  he  is  named  as  brother,  with  a 
bequest. 

Peregrine  White  received  his  name  from  the  circumstance  of  his 
birth  on  board  the  Mayflower,  in  Cape  Cod  harbor,  the  latter  part  of 
Nov.  1620,  the  first  one  bom  of  English  parents  in  New  England. 
He  removed  to  Marshfield  with  the  family  of  Gov.  Edward  Winslow, 
probably  about  the  year  1636. 

He  married  Sarah,  the  daughter  of  William  Bassett,  who  then 
lived  in  Duxbury,  but  afterwards  moved  to  Bridgewater,  and  died  in 
1667.  His  children  were  Daniel,  Sylvanus,  who  died  in  1688,  Jona- 
than, Peregrine,  Sarah,  and  Mercy.  He  died  July  20th,  1704,  aged 
83  years  and  8  months,  and  his  wife  in  1711.  The  Boston  News 
Letter  of  July  31st,  1704,  the  15th  number  of  the  first  newspaper 
printed  in  New  England,  contains  the  following  intelligence. 
'  Marshfield,  July  22d.  Capt.  Peregrine  White,  of  this  town,  aged 
83  years  and  eight  months,  died  here  the  20th  ins.t.  He  was  vigo- 
rous and  of  a  comely  aspect  to  the  last.'  In  Oct.  1665,  as  appears 
in  the  Old  Colony  Records,  the  Court  granted  him  200  acres  of  land, 
in  compliance  with  the  request  of  the  king's  commissioners,  desiring, 
'  that  the  court  would  accommodate  him  with  a  portion  of  land,  in  re- 
spect that  he  was  the  first  of  the  English  that  was  born  in  these  parts.' 
He  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Thompson's  church, 
1698,  in  his  78th  year,  on  which  occasion  a  sermon  was  delivered 
from  the  text,  Matthew,  20th  chap.  6th  and  7th  verses. 

The  following  remarks  are  from  an  obliging  correspondent  of 

■ 


248  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Marshfield.  'Peregrine  White,  according  to  some  accounts,  was 
rather  volatile  in  early  life,  but  I  find  an  entry  on  the  town  records 
somewhat  contradicting  this  statement,  which  is  as  follows.  Nov. 
16th,  1651.  Voted  at  town  meeting  that  Peregrine  White  look  to 
all  such  persons  as  are  disorderly  in  the  Township  and  give  them 
warning,  and  in  case  they  do  not  redress  their  course  of  life,  they 
shall  use  means  to  redress  such  abuses  as  they  find  in  such  persons. 
The  same  year  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  raters.  The  same  in  1655 
and  1656.  In  1659,  deputy  to  the  General  Court;  in  1660,  chosen 
a  grand  juryman ;  in  1664,  selectman;  1672  and  3,  selectman;  in 
1675,  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  council  of  war,  and  is  then  styled 
Capt.  White.  From  undisputed  tradition,  he  was  very  reverential  to 
his  mother,  making  it  his  practice  towards  the  close  of  her  life,  to 
visit  her  daily.  He  rode  on  horseback,  and  the  color  of  his  horse 
was  black,  and  the  buttons  of  his  coat  I  have  been  told  were  about 
the  size  of  a  Spanish  dollar.' 

Daniel  White,  the  son  of  Peregrine,  married  Hannah  Hunt  of 
Duxbury  in  1674.  Their  children  were  John,  b.  1675,  Joseph,  b. 
1678,  Thomas  1680,  Cornelius  1682,  Benjamin  1684,  Eleazar  1686, 
Ebenezer  1691. 

Gideon  White  was  great  grandson  of  Peregrine  White.  He  was 
the  son  of  Cornelius  White,  who  m.  Hannah  Barstow,  and  was 
born  July  19,  1718.  He  m.  Joanna  Howland  in  1743  and  moved  to 
Plymouth  and  died  March  3d,  1769,  aged  62.  His  wife  Joanna  was 
great  granddaughter  of  John  Howland  who  arrived  in  the  May- 
flower. She  d.  Sept.  23d,  1810,  aged  95  years.  She  was  intimately 
acquainted  in  the  family  of  Elder  Eaunce,  and  received  from  him 
many  interesting  particulars  in  relation  to  the  Pilgrims,  which  she 
was  accustomed  to  relate  with  much  satisfaction  to  her  numerous 
family  connections  and  friends. 

Their  children  were  Cornelius,  d.  1779;  Joanna,  m.  Pelham 
Winslow,  d.  May  2,  1829,  aged  85;  Hannah  and  Mary  both  died 
unmarried,  the  former,  January  3d,  1843,  the  latter,  Nov.  28,  1838, 
aged  87 ;  Elizabeth  m.  Hamilton  L.  Earle  Esq.  an  officer  in  the 
British  service,  and  died  at  Gibralter,  at  the  residence  of  her  son-in- 
law,  Col.  Durnford,  in   1842.     Gideon  White,  their  second  son, 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  249 

removed  to  Shelburne,  Nova  Scotia,  during  the  revolution,  and  died 
in  1829,  leaving  numerous  descendants,  at  that  plaee,  and  one 
daughter  in  Plymouth,  Mrs.  Joan  Davis,  the  widow  of  the  late  Capt. 
William  Davis.  The  homestead  of  Peregrine  White  is  still  owned 
by  his  descendants. 

RICHARD  WARREN  arrived  in  the  Mayflower,  and  his  family 
soon  after  in  the  Ann.  On  the  occurrence  of  his  death  in  1628,  the 
New  England's  Memorial  has  the  following  remarks:  'This  year 
died  Mr.  Richard  Warren,  who  hath  been  mentioned  before  in  this 
book,  and  was  an  useful  instrument;  and  during  his  life  bore  a  deep 
share  in  the  difficulties  and  troubles  of  the  first  settlement  of  the 
plantation  of  New  Plimouth.'  His  widow  Elizabeth  died  in  1673, 
aged  93. 

Their  children  were,  Nathaniel,  m.  Sarah  Walker,  1645 ;  Joseph  m. 
Priscilla,  sister  of  Elder  Faunce,  about  1650  ;  Mary,  m.  Robert  Bart- 
lett,  1628;  Ann,  m.  Thomas  Little,  1633;  Sarah  m.  John  Cooke  Jr. 
1634 ;  Elizabeth  m.  Richard  Church,  the  father  of  Colonel  Church, 
1636;  Abigail  m.  Anthony  Snow  of  Marshfield,  1639. 

JOHN  HOWLAND  arrived  in  the  Mayflower  in  1620,  being 
then  28  years  old,  and  was  included  in  the  family  of  Gov.  Carver, 
whose  daughter  Elizabeth  he  married,  but  at  what  time  does  not 
appear  on  record.  In  the  assignment  of  land  in  1 623  he  had  four 
acres,  and  he  then  probably  had  two  children,  John  and  Desire, 
which  with  himself  and  wife  would  correspond  with  the  number  of 
acres  above  mentioned.  In  the  division  of  cattle  (1627),  the  names 
of  John  and  Desire  are  both  mentioned.  It  therefore  seems  prob- 
able that  one  or  both  of  these  children  arrived  with  their  parents  in 
the  Mayflower.  The  number  of  Gov.  Carver's  family  was  eight, 
and  without  including  one  of  the  children  of  Howland,  it  is  difficult 
to  make  out  that  number. 

Mr.  Howland  was  distinguished  for  his  devotion  to  the  interests 
of  the  Colony,  both  in  relation  to  its  civil  and  religious  institutions. 
He  was  an  assistant  for  many  years. 

He  lived  in  Summer  street,  and  afterwards  removed  to  Rockey 
Nook  where  he  died  in  1673,  aged  80.    His  house  stood  north  of 


250  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

the  house  of  the  late  Hezekiah  Ripley,  deceased,  where  the  remains 
of  his  cellar  are  still  visible.  In  the  colony  records  his  death  is 
mentioned,  with  the  remark,  '  he  was  a  godly  man  and  an  ancient 
professor  in  the  ways  of  Christ,  and  proved  a  useful  instrument  of 
good  in  his  place. 

The  names  of  his  children  are  mentioned  in  his  will  as  follows, 
viz: 

Desire  Gorham,  Hope  Chipman,  Elizabeth  Dickerson,  Lydia 
Brown,  Hannah  Bosworth,  Ruth  Cushman. 

John  Howland ,*  his  oldest  son,  m.  Mary  Lee  and  settled  in 
Barnstable. 

Jabez,  his  2d  son,  m.  Bethiah  Thacher,  and  finally  settled  in 
Bristol,  Rhode  Island. 

Isaac,  who  m.  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  George  Vaughan,  and  set- 
tled in  Middleboro'. 

Joseph,  the  youngest  son,  m.  Elizabeth  Southworth  only  daughter 
of  Thomas  Southworth,  1664. 

STEPHEN  HOPKINS  arrived  in  the  Mayflower,  and  was 
prominently  engaged  in  most  of  the  arduous  enterprises  of  the  Pil- 
grims, from  their  arrival  at  Cape  Cod,  till  his  death.  He  was  much 
employed  in  public  affairs,  and  was  an  assistant  from  1633  to  1636. 
He  died  in  1644,  and  from  his  will  it  appears  that  his  wife  Elizabeth 
was  not  living.  His  oldest  son,  named  '  heir  apparent,'  in  the  will, 
was  Caleb.  If  ever  married,  he  probably  left  no  children,  as  his 
brother  Gyles,  by  deed  conveyed  land  which  was  inherited  by  him 
from  Stephen,  the  father.  Gyles  lived  in  Yarmouth,  and  m.  Cath- 
erine Wheldon,  Oct.,  1639,  and  had  a  son  Stephen,  to  whom  a  legacy 
was  given  in  the  will,  and  who  settled  in  Eastham. 

*  It  seems  probable  tbat  John  Howland,  Jr.  lived  in  Marshfield  a  short  time 
before  he  settled  at  Barnstable.  The  following  extract  is  taken  from  the 
Marshfield  Records.  '  1659.  John  Howland  jur.  pay  for  his  horse,  formerly 
of  this  Town.  May  17,  1655,  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  John  Howland,  born.' 
The  only  family  of  Howland  then  living  at  Marshfield,  was  that  of  Arthur 
Howland,  who  had  no  son  named  John.  This  is  confirmed  by  another  cir- 
cumstance. John  Howland  Senior  of  Plymouth  owned  land  in  Marshfield, 
which  he  exchanged  for  land  at  Barnstable. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  251 

The  daughters  named  in  the  will  were,  1st,  Constance,  who  m. 
Nicholas  Snow,  and  died  at  Eastham,  in  1676.  He  died  in  1671. 
2d,  Deborah,  who  m.  Andrew  Ring,  in  1646.  3d,  Damaris,  who  m. 
Jacob  Cook,  1646.  4th,  Ruth  Hopkins.  5th,  Elizabeth,  who  died 
unmarried  about  1 666.  *    Oceanus,  bprn  at  sea,  died  early. 

The  Inventory  of  Stephen  Hopkins  contains  the  first  horse  on 
record,  appraised  at  6  pounds.  His  stock  of  cattle  consisted  of  13 
in  number,  some  of  which  were  in  the  keeping  of  Gyles,  his  son,  at 
Yarmouth.  Cows  valued  in  the  Inventory  at  £5  10s.  Yoke  of 
oxen  £15. 

JAMES  CHILTON  and  his  wife  came  in  the  Mayflower  with 
their  daughter  Mary,  who  m.  John  Winslow  (brother  of  the  Gov.) 
before  1627.  Mr.  Chilton  died  Dec.  8,  1620,  and  his  wife  soon  after. 
Mary  Winslow  died  1679  at  Boston,  and  her  husband  d.  at  Boston, 
1674. 

Mrs.  ALICE  SOUTHWORTH,  widow  of  Constant,  and  daugh- 
ter of  Mr.  Carpenter,  after  the  death  of  her  husband  came  to 
New  England  in  1623  in  the  ship  Ann,  and  married  Gov.  Bradford 
Aug.  14th,  1624,  and  was  the  mother  of  all  his  children  who  left 
posterity,  viz.  William  2d,  Mercy  and  Joseph.  She  survived  her 
second  husband,  and  her  death  is  thus  recorded  in  the  Old  Colony 
Records:  'On  the  26th  day  of  March,  1670,  Mistris  Allice  Bradford 
seni'r  changed  this  life  for  a  better,  haueing  attained  to  fourscore 
yeares  of  age  or  therebouts.  Shee  was  a  godly  matron ;  and  much 
loued  while  shee  lined  and  lamented  tho'  aged  when  shee  died  and 
was  honorably  enterred  on  the  29  day  of  the  month  aforesaid :  att 
New  Plymouth.'  She  is  supposed  to  have  had  several  sisters  in 
New  England ;  among  whom  were  Priscilla,  who  married  William 
Wright,  Senior,  and  afterwards  John  Cooper  in  1634;  Mary,  'the 
godly  old  maid,'  and  Bridget,  the  wife  of  Samuel  Fuller,  Senior. 

Mrs.  Southworth  had  two  sons,  Constant  and  Thomas,  whom 
she  left  in  England. 

•  It  will  be  perceived  from  the  foregoing  account,  that  Dr.  Young  in  his 
chronicles  has  omitted  the  names  of  several  of  Stephen  Hopkins's  children. 


252  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Constant,  the  eldest  son,  came  over  in  1628,  and  probably  Thom- 
as came  at  the  same  time.  These  two  youths  were  educated  by 
Gov.  Bradford,  and  both  attained  to  great  distinction  in  the  Colonial 
government.  Constant  was  an  assistant  and  treasurer  16  years. 
Thomas  was  an  assistant  and  deputy  for  many  years. 

Constant  Southworth  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  William 
Collier  of  Duxbury,  Nov.  2d,  1637,  and  had  Edward  who  m.  Mary; 
Lieut.  Nathaniel,  born  in  1648,  who  m.  Desire,  daughter  of  Edward 
Gray,  Jan.  10,  1671-2,  and  died  in  Middleboro,  Jan.  14,  1710-11  ; 
Mercy,  who  m.  Samuel  Freeman ;  Alice,  who  m.  Capt.  Benj.  Church ; 
Mary,  who  m.  David  Alden ;  Elizabeth,  who  m.  William  Eobes  ; 
Priscilla;  and  William  of  Little  Compton  and  Tiverton.  Mr. 
Southworth  died  March  11th,  1678-9  while  Treasurer  of  the  Colo- 
ny.   From  him  are  descended  all  of  this  family  in  New  England. 

Captain  Thomas  Southworth  married  Elizabeth,  the  daughter  of 
Kev.  John  Reynor,  Sept.  1st,  1641,  and  died  Dec.  8th,  1669,  aged 
53  years,  leaving  an  only  child,  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Joseph  How- 
land. 

This  family  was  noted  for  warlike  attainments,  nearly  all  the 
males,  as  also  the  husbands  of  the  females,  being  officers  in  the  wars 
with  the  Indians. 

NATHANIEL  MORTON  was  the  son  of  George  Morton ;  who 
came  in  the  Ann  in  1623,  and  whose  wife  was  the  sister  of  Gov. 
Bradford,  and  who  died  in  1624,  leaving  Nathaniel,  John,  Patience, 
Ephraim,  and  Sarah.  Patience  m.  John  Faunce,  father  of  Elder 
Thomas  Faunce;  Sarah  m.  George  Bonum,  in  1644. 

Nathaniel  was  the  distinguished  and  highly  esteemed  Secretary  of 
the  Colony  from  the  year  1645  to  the  time  of  his  death  in  1685. 
He  was  also  Secretary  of  the  United  Colonies,  and  the  compiler  of 
the  valuable  Church  Records  now  in  existence,  from  the  origin  of 
the  Leyden  Church,  and  author  of  the  New  England  Memorial,  and 
the  Old  Colony  Records  show  the  extent  of  his  great  industry.  He 
m.  Lydia  Cooper,  1635,  who  died  1673,  and  he  afterwards  m.  Ann 
Templar,  1674.  His  children  were  six  daughters,  viz.  Remember,  b.  in 
1637,  m.  Abraham  Jackson,  1657 ;  Mercy  m.  Joseph  Dunham,  1657  ; 


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RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE     PILGRIMS.  253 

Joanna  m.  Joseph  Prince,  of  Hull,  1670;  Lydia  m.  George  Ellison  ; 
Elizabeth  m.  Nathaniel  Bosworth,  of  Hull,  1670;  and  Hannah  m. 
Benjamin  Bosworth,  1666.     He  died  June  29,  1685,  aged  73. 

Secretary  Morton  lived  first  on  the  south  side  of  Wellingsly 
Brook,  and  afterwards  removed  to  the  place  now  occupied  by  Capt. 
Allen. 

ROBERT  BARTLETT  came  to  Plymouth  in  the  Ann  in  the 
year  1623.  He  was  born  in  England  in  1603,  and  married  in  1628 
Mary  Warren,  (daughter  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth  Warren.)  He 
died  in  1676,  and  his  wife  a  few  years  afterwards. 

Their  children  were, 

Bcnjami„,  died  ■691,  ,„an-ied  {  £*»*  B~,  J«£ 

Joseph,  b.  1638,  d.  1712,  m.  Hannah  Fallowell,  who  was  b.  1638 

andd.  1710> 
M.XTV  (1st  Richard  Foster,  Sept.  10,  1651, 

*  I  2d  Jonathan  Morey,  July  8,  1659. 

Rebecca,  m.  William  Harlow,  Dec.  20,  1649. 

Sarah,  m.  Samuel  Rider,  of  Yarmouth,  Dec.  23,  1656. 

Elizabeth,  m.         Anthony  Sprague,  of  Hingham,  Dec. 

26,  1661,  and  d.  Eeb.  7,  1712-13. 
Mercy,  b.  March  10,  1750-1,  m.  John  Ivey  of  Boston,  Dec.  25,  1668. 

Lydia,  b.  June  8,  1647,  m.  {  if  ;T T^^/W-^,  .      , 
J  1  2d  John  Nelson  of  Middleboro'. 

His  descendants  are  very  numerous  in  Plymouth  county ;  a  fur- 
ther account  may  be  found  in  Judge  Mitchell's  History  of  Bridge- 
water. 


The  following  list  exhibiting  the  longevity  of  some  of  the  first 
planters  of  the  old  colony  is  mostly  copied  from  the  Old  Colony 
and  Church  Records. 

Those  having  an  asterisk  affixed  arrived  in  some  one  of  the  first 
four  ships,  namely,  the  Mayflower,  Fortune,  Ann,  or  Little  James. 
The  rest  arrived  afterwards,  but  most  of  them  before  the  year  1632. 
21 


254  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

•  ■•■  •  :£  -  •  ■      ' 

Names.                                                                           Time  of  decease.  Age. 

*  William  Brewster,  .  .  .  .  April  16th,  1G44  80 
William  Thomas*        .        .        .                 .         August,  1651  78 

*  Julien  Kempton,  wid.  of  Manassah  Kempton,  Feb.  19,  1664-5  81 
Gabriel  Fallowell,  .  Dec.  28,  1667  8S 
John  Dunham,  (Deacon,)          .        .         .         March  2,  1668-9  80 

*  Alice  Bradford,  (wid.  of  the  Gov.)  .  .  March  26,  1670  80 
*JohnHowland, Feb.  24,  1672-3  80 

*  Thomas  Prence, March  29,  1673  73 

*  Elizabeth  Warren,  (widow  of  Richard  Warren,)   Oct.  2,  1673  90 

Ann  Tupper,  (Sandwich,) 1675 

Priscilla  Cooper,  (sister  of  Gov.  Bradford's  wife  Alice,)       1679  91 

Dorothy  Brown,  (Swanzey,) 1675  90 

*  Edward  Bangs, 1678  86 

Phineas  Pratt, April  19,  1680  90 

*  Nathaniel  Morton,  (Secretary,)  .  .  .  June  29,  1685  73 
Robert  Einney,  (Deacon,)  ....  Jan.  7,  1687  80 
Mary  Carpenter,  (sister  to  Gov.  Bradford's  wife,)  .  1683  90 
*JohnAlden, Sept.  12,  1687  89 

*  Experience  Mitchell, 1689  80 

*  Thomas  Cushman,  (Elder,)  ...  Dec.  10, 1691  84 
John  Dunham,  (son  of  the  Deacon,)  .  .  .  1692  79 
Anna  Lettice,  (wid.  of  Thomas  Lettice,)       .          July  3,  1687  81 

*  Elizabeth  Howland,  (wife  of  John  Howland)          .          1687  81 

Samuel  Eddy,  (Swanzey,) 1688  1 81 

George  Watson,. Jan.  31, 1688  87 

Andrew  Ring, 1692  75 

*  The  following  is  copied  from  the  grave  stone  of  William  Thomas,  Esq., 
in  the  old  burial  ground  at  Marshfield,  and  is,  we  believe  the  oldest  grave 
stone  in  the  Old  Colony. 

Here  lies  what  remains  of  William  Thomas,  Esq.,  one  of  the  founders  of 
New- Ply  mouth.  Colony,  who  died  in  ye  month  of  August,  1651,  about  ye 
78th  year  of  his  age. 

The  grave  stone  of  Nathaniel  Thomas,  his  son,  is  also  still  legible, who 
died  the  13th  of  Feb.  1674,  about  the  68th  year  of  his  age. 

t  It  is  doubtful  from  the  record  whether  this  should  be  SI  or  87. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  255 

*  Mary  Cushman,  (widow  of  the  Elder,)     .         .         .         1690  90 

*  Thomas  Clark,  (supposed  mate  of  the  Mayflower,)  .  1697  98 
Elizabeth  Edey,  (Swazcy,)  ....  May  24,  1689  82 
Richard  Wright,            •         •         .         .         .  ■        June  9,  1691  83 

Patience  Whitney,  (widow,) 1692  77 

George  Bonum, April  28,  1704  95 

Samuel  King,        <    * August,  1705  90 

James  Cole, 1709  85 

John  Done,  (Deacon,  Eastham,)        .        .        .        .          1707  110 

Note.  In  the  next  generation,  many  instances  of  longevity 
might  be  collected.  Elder  Thomas  Faunce  died  in  1745,  aged  99 
years.  His  daughter,  Patience  Kempton,  died  at  New  Bedford,  in 
1779,  aged  105  years  and  six  months.  Ephraim  Pratt,  grandson  of 
Joshua  Pratt,  one  of  the  first  comers  at  Plymouth,  died  at  Shutes- 
bury,  Worcester  county,  in  1804,  aged  116.  Ebenezer  Cobb  was 
born  in  Plymouth  and  died  at  Kingston,  in  1801,  aged  107  years, 
and  was  of  the  third  generation.  John  Alden,  a  descendant  of  John 
Alden  who  came  in  the  Mayflower,  died  in  Middleborough  in  1821, 
aged  102.  Three  of  his  children,  two  daughters  and  one  son,  are 
now  living  and  dwell  under  the  same  roof  in  Middleborough,  whose 
average  age  is  84  1-3  years. 

Widow  Abigail  Bryant  died  in  Plympton,  Feb.  21,  1821,  aged  99 
years,  six  months,  and  ten  days. 


CLOSING    REMARKS    ON    THE    PILGRIMS. 

4 

Iii  preparing  the  foregoing  pages  for  publication, 
the  writer  has  earnestly  sought  to  present  a  just  and 
true  account  of  the  motives,  character,  and  conduct 
of  the  Pilgrims  ;  not,  however,  without  a  conscious- 


256  GUIDE     TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

ness  that  the  estimate  formed  of  their  claims  to  the 
veneration  and  gratitude  of  the  present  age,  will  by 
many  be  regarded  as  far  exceeding  the  merits  to 
which  they  are  justly  entitled. 

The  cry  of  intolerance,  persecution,  and  injustice 
towards  the  natives,  hastily  assumed,  and  framed 
into  serious  charges  against  them,  is  often  deemed  of 
sufficient  weight  to  overbalance  other  considerations 
challenging  in  their  behalf  our  unqualified  admiration. 
It  is  not  difficult  to  trace  the  origin  of  these  charges 
to  the  same  spirit  and  source  which  originally  drove 
them  into  banishment,  which  could  not  rest  satisfied 
with  this  measure  of  punishment  without  the  attempt 
to  impugn  their  motives,  detract  from  their  worth,  and 
misrepresent  their  conduct.  The  fearless  spirits,  who 
at  so  early  a  period,  dared  to  array  themselves  in 
open  opposition  to  the  unjust  assumptions,  both  of  the 
hierarchy  and  throne  of  England,  could  not  fail  to 
incur  their  unrelenting  hostility. 

But  whatever  opinions  may  be  entertained  on  these 
points,  whether  the  charges  alleged  rest  upon  any 
just  grounds  or  not,  it  will  hardly  be  denied  that  the 
Pilgrims  accomplished  a  vast  work.  While  it  would 
doubtless  be  unwise  to  claim  for  them  an  exemption 
from  the  common  infirmities  of  our  nature,  the  oppo- 
site extreme  which-  withholds  a  just  recognition  of 
their  high  achievements  is  liable  to  far  greater  con- 
demnation. 

It  may  well  deserve  our  attention,  to  consider  what 
might  have  been  the  condition  of  this  country  at  the 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  257 

present  moment,  had  their  perilous  enterprise  failed 
of  success.  Nearly  ten  years  elapsed,  after  the  land- 
ing at  Plymouth,  before  any  other  colony  ventured  to 
follow  in  their  footsteps,  and  had  their  enterprise 
proved  abortive,  a  much  longer  period,  according  to 
any  just  calculation  of  probabilities,  would  have 
intervened,  before  the  discouragements  occasioned 
by  successive  defeats  in  the  attempts  at  colonization 
would  have  been  sufficiently  overcome,  to  justify  in 
the  estimation  of  common  prudence,  a  similar  effort. 
France,  at  quite  an  early  period,  had,  with  laudable 
enterprise,  explored  our  northern  and  western  bound- 
aries, and  conceived  the  purpose  of  establishing  a 
connected  chain  of  fortified  posts,  designed  eventu- 
ally to  control  the  destiny  of  North  America.  Who 
may  not  discern,  in  the  early  settlement  of  New 
England,  the  only  effectual  barrier  to  the  execution 
of  this  magnificent  project  of  the  French  nation  ?  In 
point  of  fact,  the  contest  for  supremacy,  between 
England  and  France,  was  long  and  earnest,  and  at 
one  time  it  became  extremely  doubtful  which  of  these 
great  rivals  of  empire  would  ultimately  prevaii,  not- 
withstanding the  superiority  of  colonial  strength 
possessed  by  the  former  power.  New  England 
enterprise  and  courage  at  last  determined  this  doubt- 
ful but  all-important  question,  and  history,  faithful  to 
its  trust,  in  recording  the  chivalrous  reduction  of 
Louisburg,  and  other  colonial  achievements,  will 
award  the  claims  of  justice,  while  it  utters  only  the 
declarations  of  truth. 


258  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

The  intrepid  pioneers,  therefore,  by  whose  instru- 
mentality the  great  question  as  to  what  nation  of 
Europe  should  predominate  in  North  America,  justly 
deserve  to  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance  on  both 
sides  of  the  Atlantic.  Who  does  not  rejoice  that  the 
English  tongue  has  become  the  universal  language 
of  more  than  twenty  millions  of  people,  and  that  our 
institutions,  which  received  their  germ  from  the  best 
examples  of  Europe,  moulded  and  improved  by  the 
successive  application  of  sound  principles,  aiming  to 
promote  the  general  welfare,  and  grown  into  a  wider 
expansion,  both  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  are  the 
invaluable,  undisputed  inheritance  of  our  land  ?  !  By 
their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them.  Not  by  the  graceful 
foliage  which  dallies  with  the  summer's  breeze;  — 
not  by  the  flower  which  fades  with  the  perfume 
which  it  scatters  on  the  gale;  —  but  by  the  golden 
perfect  fruit,  in  which  the  mysterious  life  of  the  plant 
is  garnered  up  ;  —  which  the  genial  earth  and  kindling 
sun  have  ripened  into  the  refreshment  and  food  of 
man,  and  which,  even  when  it  perishes,  leaves 
behind  it  the  germs  of  continued  and  multiplied 
existence.' 

Note.  Without  intending-  to  justify  intolerance  in  any  form, 
whether  of  ancient  or  modern  date,  it  may  be  remarked,  that  much  of 
what  is  charged  upon  the  Fathers  as  such,  resulted  from  their  expo- 
sure to  the  designs  often  manifested  by  their  enemies  at  home  and 
abroad,  to  overthrow  both  their  civil  and  religious  institutions,  which  it 
had  cost  them  so  much  labor  and  hazard  to  establish,  and  which  owed 
their  final  preservation,  to  a  wonderful  prudence  and  persevering  vig- 
ilance, defeating  not  only  the  purposes  of  faction,  but  the  assumptions 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  259 

of  royal  authority.    The  undue  restriction  of  individual  freedom  seems 
to  have  been  the  incident  rather  than  the  aim,  of  their  policy. 

With  respect  to  the  charge  of  injustice  towards  the  Indian  race,  we 
quote  the  remarks  of  James  Otis  to  Gov.  Barnard  in  17G7  — '  The  In- 
dians had  perfect  confidence  in  our  Fathers,  and  applied  to  them  in  all 
their  difficulties.  Nothing  has  been  omitted  which  justice  or  humanity 
required.    We  glory  in  their  conduct ;  we  boast  of  it  as  unexampled.' 


-*:.*f*M^  *     -  •  ' 


260  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Description  of  Plymouth. 


1  They  sounded  the  harhor,  and  found  it  fit  for  shipping,  and  march- 
ed into  the  land  and  found  divers  corn  fields,  and  little  running  brooks, 
a  place  as  they  supposed,  fit  for  situation.'  Morton. 


Plymouth  is  situated  in  north  latitude  (at  the 
Court  House.)  41c,  57',  6".  Longitude  from  Green- 
wich 70°,  30',  54". 

Its  Indian  name  was  Umpame,  written  Apaum  in 
the  Colony  Records,  and  still  so  called  by  the  na- 
tives of  Massapee.     It  was  also  called  Patuxet. 

Bounds.  The  bounds  of  Plymouth  were  deter- 
mined by  the  Colony  Court,  in  the  year  1640,  of 
which  the  following  is  a  description  : 

1  It  is  enacted  and  concluded  by  the  Court,  that 
the  bounds  of  Plymouth  township  shall  extend  south- 
ward to  the  bounds  of  Sandwich  township;  and 
northward  to  a  little  brook,  running  from  Stephen 
Tracy's  to  another  little  brook  falling  into  Blackwa- 
ter;  from  the  commons  left  to  Duxbury,  and  the 
neighborhood  thereabout;  and  westward  eight  miles 
up  into  the  land,  from  any  part  of  the  bay  or  sea ;  al- 
ways provided  that  the  bounds  shall  extend  so  far  up 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  261 

into  the  wood  lands,  as  to  include  the  south  meadows 
towards  Agawara,  lately  discovered,  and  the  conven- 
ient uplands  thereabout.' 

These  bounds  were  quite  extensive  comprising 
what  have  since  become  Plympton,  in  1707,  Kings- 
ton in  1726,  and  part  of  Wareham,  with  Carver  taken 
from  Plympton  and  a  part  of  Halifax  in  1734,  also 
taken  from  Plympton.  It  is  about  16  miles  in  extent 
from  north  to  south,  and  varies  from  four  and  a  half 
to  nine  in  width. 

Plymouth  is  built  along  the  sea  shore,  upon  a  mod- 
erate declivity  descending  from  an  extensive  pine 
plain,  about  one  fourth  of  a  mile  broad  and  one  half 
mile  in  length. 

Face  and  quality  of  the  soil.  The  predominant 
growth  of  forest  trees  is  Pinus  tmda,  designating  a 
soil  of  third  rate  quality,  which  covers  much  the 
greater  part  of  the  township. 

A  ridge  of  elevated  pine  hills  commences  at 
*'  Hither  Manomet'  (so  called  in  the  records)  with- 
in its  limits  on  the  sea,  and  terminates  at  Woods 
Hole,  27  miles,  ranging  north  and  south,  through 
Sandwich,  beyond  which  they  assume  a  rocky  and 
rugged  form,  near  Falmouth.  The  most  elevated 
height  in  this  ridge  is  about  four  miles  from  the 
Town  House  in  Plymouth,  being  three  hundred  and 
ninety-six  feet  in  height,  presenting  an  extensive  and 
sublime  prospect  of  ocean  scenery. 

*  Further  Manomet  Point,  as  seen  from  Sandwich,  is  a  bold  fea- 
ture in  prospective,  from  every  part  of  the  Bay. 
21* 


262  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

This  elevated  ridge  separates  the  first  precinct  or 
village  of  Manomet  Ponds  from  the  second  and  third 
precincts.  It  is  beautifully  situated,  commanding  a 
fine  view  of  the  bay,  and  is  surrounded  by  elevated 
heights,  and  preserves,  perhaps  to  this  day,  in  its 
habits  and  character,  as  much  of  the  sound  principle 
and  primitive  simplicity  of  ancient  times,  as  any  part 
of  our  country. 

Geology.  It  is  not  a  little  curious  that  one  loose 
rock  on  the  shore  of  Plymouth  Harbor  should  have  be- 
come so  famous  as  is  that  called  the  *  Pilgrim  Rock,' 
where  there  is  not  known  in  the  township  a  single 
ledge,  save  those  the  fisherman  reaches  with  his  lead 
at  various  points  off  the  coast.  All  the  rocks  in  place 
lie  buried  beneath  an  unknown  thickness  of  sand, 
gravel,  and  clay  of  the  Drift  formation.  This  in 
many  places  is  at  least  200  feet  thick,  and  is  proba- 
bly nowhere  less  than  40.  The  nearest  ledges  that 
appear  are  in  Kingston,  a  mile  or  more  over  the  line; 
and  they  are  of  granite,  intersected  by  narrow  Trap- 
dykes.  So  regular  are  some  of  these  dykes,  as 
exposed  in  the  cutting  of  the  Rail  Road,  that  they 
were  believed  by  many  to  be  some  ancient  artificial 
structure.  It  is  probable  that  this  granitic  formation 
extends  further  south  beneath  the  drift,  but  from  this 
point  to  Sandwich  and  round  to  the  Cape,  the  writer 
is  not  aware  that  any  ledge  is  met  with, 

Spread  over  the  country  so  extensively,  the  pecu- 
liarities of  the  Drift  formation  are  perhaps  nowhere 
better  developed  than  in  this  neighborhood.      The 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  263 

broken  surface  of  the  little  hills  is  the  counterpart  on 
a  large  scale  of  the  chopped  and  troubled  seas  that 
break  against  their  base.  No  deep  seated  action  has 
stirred  up  the  mass,  and  thrown  the  surface  into  the 
regular  wave-like  ridges  of  other  regions.  The  pow- 
er acting  on  the  surface,  that  brought  together  and 
spread  these  loose  materials,  has  scooped  out  the 
hollows  between  the  hills,  and  made  a  thousand  deep 
depressions,  now  occupied  by  as  many  lakes  and 
ponds.  These,  of  every  variety  of  form  and  size  lie 
scattered  here  and  there  or  grouped  together  in  the 
pitch  pine  and  scrubby  oak  woods.  Little  brooks 
flowing  clearly  over  their  sandy  beds,  connect  one 
with  another,  and  then  find  their  way  to  the  sea 
shore.  The  barrenness  of  this  Geological  formation 
is  a  surety  that  the  singular  and  romantic  beauty  it 
has  given  to  the  environs  of  Plymouth  will  not  soon 
be  impaired  by  the  clearing  of  the  country. 

The  cliffs  and  promontories  along  the  coast  are 
made  up  entirely  of  the  same  sand  and  gravel.  The 
Boulders  scattered  through  this  are  of  those  varieties 
of  Granite,  Sienite,  Porphyry,  Trap,  and  Conglomer- 
ate, which  are  found  in  place  on  the  rocky  shores  of 
Cohasset  and  Nahant,  or  in  the  Blue  Hills  of  Quin- 
cy.  As  the  cliffs  have  been  worn  back  by  the  action 
of  the  sea,  these  blocks  have  tumbled  down  at  their 
base,  lining  the  shore,  until  in  some  places,  as  along 
the  headland  of  Manomet,  it  almost  merits  the  poet- 
ical character,  that  has  been  given  it,  of  a  '  rock  bound 
coast*     Some  of  these  blocks  are  of  extraordinary 


264  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

size,  measuring  twenty  feet  or  more  through,  yet  no 
parent  source,  from  which  they  could  have  been  de- 
rived, is  known,  nearer  than  those  named  above. 
'Pilgrim  Rock'  is  one  of  these  boulders — itself  an 
older  pilgrim  than  those  who  landed  on  it.  It  is  an 
extremely  hard  variety  of  Sienitic  Granite,  of  a  dark 
grey  color.  The  mica  is  in  very  small  quantity,  in 
fine  black  particles.  The  rock  by  its  rounded  edges 
bears  evidence  of  its  solid  character,  as  well  as  of  the 
attempts  to  break  specimens  from  it;  which  fortu- 
nately its  extreme  hardness  renders  seldom  success- 
ful. This  rock,  now  in  two  pieces,  is,  each  piece, 
about  four  feet  through. 

The  long  sandy  strip  of  land  called  The  Beach, 
which  separates  the  inner  harbor  from  the  sea  with- 
out, is  no  less  curious  for  its  geological  interest  than 
as  a  singular  feature  in  the  scenery.  Though  only 
a  few  rods  wide,  and  its  highest  sand  hills  not  rising 
more  than  twenty  feet  above  the  sea,  it  stretches  full 
three  miles  long  in  front  of  the  town,  a  mile  distant 
from  the  wharves,  and  has  long  interposed  itself  as  a 
barrier  to  the  strong  easterly  storms.  These  throw 
upon  it  more  sand  from  the  shoals  outside,  which 
some  years  ago  was  an  island  above  the  water,  still 
retaining  the  name  of  Brown? s  Island,  and  the  sand 
seems  to  be  driven  yet  farther  into  the  inner  harbor, 
which  becomes  shoaler  as  Brown's  Island  wastes 
away.  The  beach,  protected  only  by  the  scattering 
Beach  grass,  has  wasted  faster  than  its  sands  were 
renewed.     It  is  described  to  have  been  covered  with 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  265 

trees  some  sixty  years  ago,  and  these  no  doubt  were 
a  very  efficient  protection  to  it.  At  present,  it 
requires  the  aid  of  the  Government  and  an  occasional 
appropriation  of  funds  to  repair  the  breaches  made 
by  the  storms,  and  secure  with  piles  and  brushwood 
this  important  bulwark  to  the  lower  part  of  the  town. 

Eotanical  Description  of  Plymouth.  Plym- 
outh and  its  vicinity  are  somewhat  remarkable 
for  the  diversity  of  the  plants  indigenous  to  its 
soil ;  embracing  both  those  of  a  strictly  botanical, 
and  likewise  those  of  a  more  general  interest.  It 
possesses  hill,  dale,  meadow,  swamp,  marsh  ;  exten- 
ded plains  covered  with  a  characteristic  growth  of  the 
pitch-pine ;  and  likewise  many  sheets  of  fresh  water, 
some  of  which  are  of  a  picturesque  character,  some 
of  considerable  extent;  others,  again,  of  fairy  size  ; 
and  all,  embosomed  in  its  woods,  interspersed  among 
its  ridges ;  or  perhaps  connected  with  one  another 
like  chains  of  lakes,  in  miniature  proportions.  These 
various  regions,  though  of  the  limited  extent  of  a 
few  miles,  are  found  to  be  stored  with  plants ;  and 
have  been  repeatedly  explored  by  botanists,  with  that 
success  which  prompts  further  inquiry. 

The  scenery  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
town  is  almost  wholly  maritime  ;  and  to  its  peculiar 
associations,  as  connected  with  pilgrim  history,  owes 
its  chief  charms.  A  long  extent  of  seabeach  stretches 
from  the  main-land  near  Duxbury,  known  by  the 
name  of  the  Gurnet.  To  the  westward  rises  Cap- 
tain's Hill,  an  eminence  of  considerable  height  and  of 


266  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

much  interest,  reminding  us  of  that  valiant  Captain 
Miles  Standish,  whose  house  was  situated  near  its 
foot.  On  the  extreme  east  rise  the  bold  blue  heights 
of  Manomet,  and  directly  in  front  of  the  spectator  as 
he  stands  on  the  hill  of  graves,  is  the  narrow  strip  of 
sand  which  defends  the  harbor  and  known  as  Plym- 
outh beach.  Nor  will  he  fail  to  notice  Clarke's  Island, 
bearing  a  little  to  the  northeast,  with  its  few  trees 
which  seem  to  cluster  near  the  dwelling  houses  of 
the  farmstead.  Washed  up  oh  these  several  beaches 
by  the  usual  storms,  may  be  found  the  various  species 
of  seaweeds  {Algce,)  which  combine  inimitable  beau- 
ty in  some  of  the  more  delicate  forms  with  direct 
utility  in  the  coarser  kinds.  The  sands  above  high 
water  mark,  are  covered  with  the  useful  beachgrass, 
the  sea-pea,  the  maritime  sandwort,  &c.  &c.  and  with 
the  several  other  sorts  of  vegetation,  which  usually 
thrive  in  such  situations.  The  glancous-leaved 
seaside  Grorrfwell  (Lithospermum  maritimum)  has 
been  detected  on*these  shores;  a  plant  better  known 
as  inhabiting  a  more  eastern  coast.  In  the  cultivated 
grassfields  may  be  seen  the  yellow  rattle,  rather  con- 
spicuous for  its  large  and  showy  flowers.  In  the 
meadows  grow  the  tall,  purple,  fimbriated  orchis,  and 
the  delicate  pure  white  species  also,  the  bulbous 
arethusa,  and  other  forms  of  floral  beauty,  which 
delight  themselves  in  such  spots.  Nor  wanting  is 
the  rich  cardinal-flower  on  the  plashy  brink  of  the 
streams.  The  dry  hill-sides  afford  the  blazing  star 
(Liatris) ;  in  August  conspicuous  by  its  purple  spikes 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  267 

of  blossoms  at  the  end  of  its  long,  wand-like  stems ; 
while  in  every  copse,  in  each  thicket,  amid  forest 
shades  and  in  the  open  pasture  land,  burst  forth,  on 
returning  Spring,  the  roseate  blossoms  of  the  epigcea, 
better  known  to  our  town's  folks  as  the  May-flower  ;. 
and  whose  admiration  of  its  charming  habits  is  only- 
equaled  by  the  associations  which  its  trivial  and 
accidental  name  awakens.  This  truly  lovely  little 
plant  is  a  hardy  denizen  of  every  northern  state  of 
New  England,  and,  appearing  in  bloom  early  in  May, 
it  is  familiarly  known  as  the  May  flower,  more  espec- 
ially in  New  Hampshire,  where  it  is  the  first  flower 
of  spring.  With  us,  when  spring  is  unusually  for- 
ward, in  some  favorable  situation,  it  has  been  known 
to  break  forth  from  its  winter's  sleep  at  the  beginning 
or  towards  the  middle  of  April :  and  to  secure  the 
first  specimen  of  the  first  Mayflower  is  considered  a 
fortunate  circumstance  among  its  admirers.  A  pleas- 
ing fiction  obtains  with  some  good  people  hereabouts  ; 
viz.  that  this  little  flower  is  peculiar  to  this  section  of 
the  country  ;  but  truth,  which  always  proves  stronger 
than  fiction,  has,  however,  reluctantly  dispelled  the 
illusion.  None  the  less  a  favorite,  has  the  epigcca 
continued ;  and  on  any  pleasant  afternoon  in  Spring 
time,  in  the  streets  of  Plymouth,  may  be  seen  nume- 
rous children  and  young  persons  bearing  handfuls  of 
these  pretty  blossoms,  which  they  have  culled  with 
choice  selection  from  the  neighboring  woods  and  hills. 
A  curious  and  somewhat  rare  plant,  closely  related  to 
the  crowberry  or  crakeherry  of  alpine  regions,  flourishes 


* 

268  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

with  us  in  certain  spots.  This  is  an  early  flower, 
indeed,  expanding  its  little  and  obscure  filaments  in 
April,  and  reminding  us,  in  its  scientific  name,  of  a 
diligent  investigator  of  New  England  botany. 

The  occurrence  of  rare  plants  in  secluded  spots 
and  in  narrow  areas  is  a  singular  fact.  Another  in- 
stance of  the  kind  besides  that  last  mentioned,  occurs 
id  the  linear-leaved  sundew  which  was  first  detected 
here,  by  the  now  venerable  Judge  Davis,  (as  we  are 
informed  by  Dr.  Bigelow  in  his  Plants  of  Boston  and 
its  Vicinity)  several  years  ago  ;  and  which  very  plant 
since,  has  been  one  of  the  most  interesting  of  this 
region.  Bordering  the  ponds  may  be  found  Sabba- 
tia,  elegant  with  its  bloom  of  every  tint  of  color,  from 
deep  rose  to  purest  white  —  the  hyssop-leaved  hedge- 
nettle,  the  humble  gratiola  aurea  with  blossoms  sub- 
ject to  variations,  from  its  usual  golden  hue  to  paler 
yellow,  and  even  to  white  —  the  rosy  coreopsis,  the 
narrow-leaved  golden-rod,  &c.  &c.  Rising  from  the 
bottom  of  the  shallower  parts  of  the  water,  may  be 
seen  xyris,  with  heads  of  yellow  florets  issuing  from 
brown  scales,  frequently  found  of  remarkable  size  — 
the  pickerel-weed,  looking  like  spikes  of  blue  hya- 
cinths, and  quite  as  pretty  —  the  white  arrow-head  — 
the  curious,  little  stems  of  the  bladder-worts,  covered 
with  purplish  or  else  with  yellow  flowers,  while  their 
finely  divided  foliage,  kept  from  sinking  by  singularly 
contrived  apparatus,  is  slightly  fixed  by  delicate 
root  fibres  in  the  softooze,  or  float  at  random  and  at 
pleasure.      Of  these,  six  or  seven  species  may  be 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  269 

found  in  close  proximity.  Entangled  among  them, 
perhaps,  are  the  water-mill-foils  —  the  aquatic  ranun- 
culuses with  starry  blossoms  like  flakes  of  snow,  lying 
on  the  still  surface  —  the  glossy  leaved  water-tar- 
gets—curious species  of  sedges,  bull-rushes,  and 
many  other  grass-like  plants  besides.  And  then  in 
drier  situations  we  have  the  tall,  gorgeous  fire-weed, 
rivaling  the  garden  phloxes  —  while  to  chance  on  a 
tuft  of  the  orange-colored  asclepias  which  may  be 
also  found,  this  were  delightful  indeed. 

To  those,  who  love  to  steal  away  into  Nature's 
retreats  —  to  sit  listening  to  the  perpetual  sighing  of 
the  summer  breeze  midst  the  pine  branches,  or  to 
tread  the  white  sanded  margins  of  our  crystal  lake- 
lets—to those,  who  love  a  walk  for  its  own  sake  — 
or  to  cull  flowers  —  or  to  forget  their  business  or  their 
cares  for  a  brief  space  of  time,  there  may  be  found 
in  and  near  this  old  town  of  Plymouth,  sufficient  in- 
ducements besides  even  Forefathers' Kock,  the  mem- 
ory of  bygone  days,  the  traditionary  stories  and  cher- 
ished relics  of  the  pilgrimage.  Tracts  of  wild  forests, 
which  have  never  been  cleared  for  cultivation,  and 
in  which  the  fallow  deer  yet  roam  at  large ;  and  the 
general  features  and  outlines  of  what  this  spot  was, 
more  than  two  centuries  ago,  will  not  fail  to  forcibly 
remind  them  of  that  primitive  wilderness,  in  which 
Freedom  sought  an  asylum  and  a  resting  place. 

Plymouth  Harbor.  The  harbor  is  protected  by  a 
beach  three  miles  in  extent,  about  one  mile  from  the 
wharves.     This  beach  is  much  reduced  from  its  orig- 


270  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

inal  width  by  the  inroads  of  the  sea.  It  was  origi- 
nally well  wooded,  bnt  notwithstanding  the  fines 
early  imposed,  to  prevent  depredation,  the  trees 
have  all  disappeared.  Towards  the  northern  part  of 
it,  within  60  or  70  years,  there  was  a  thick  swamp 
covered  with  pine,  cherry  and  other  trees.  It 
abounded  also  with  beach  plums  and  grapes.  In 
17G4  two  small  breaches  were  made  by  the  sea 
near  this  swamp,  requiring  £20  for  repairs.  Dec.  25, 
1778,  a  severe  storm  greatly  increased  these  breach- 
es, and  a  hedge  fence  was  made  for  its  protection. 
In  1784  a  heavy  gale,  with  a  high  tide,  carried  off 
most  of  the  trees.  In  1685,  the  general  court 
made  a  conditional  grant  of  500  pounds,  but  through 
inability  the  town  could  not  comply  with  its  condi- 
tions. In  1806,  a  Township  of  land  was  granted,  on 
condition  that  the  town  raise  $5000  for  repairing  the 
Beach.  In  1812  a  lottery  was  granted,  the  proceeds 
of  which,  amounting  to  $16,000,  were  applied  for 
repairs.  Previous  to  the  year  1806,  more  than 
$40,000  had  been  expended  without  any  aid  from 
Government.  An  appropriation  made  by  the  Gen- 
eral Government  in  1824  and  1825  of  $43,566,  which 
sum  was  judiciously  expended  under  the  direction  of 
Lieut.  Chase  and  Col.  Totten,  of  the  United  States 
Engineer  Department,  has  resulted  in  the  preserva- 
tion of  this  important  barrier  to  the  ocean,  which 
otherwise  must  long  since  have  been  nearly  de- 
stroyed.    It  still  requires  vigilant  attention. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  271 

The  Gurnet,  at  the  entrance  of  the  harbor,  con- 
tains about  27  acres  of  good  land.  Of  the  original 
growth  of  wood  nothing  remains.  It  is  the  extreme 
point  of  Marshfield  beach  and  distant  from  the  main 
land  about  seven  miles.  A  light  house  was  erected 
by  the  then  Province  of  Massachusetts,  on  this  point 
in  1768,  costing  £660,  17s.,  which  was  consumed  by 
fire  on  July  2d,  1801;  and  that  now  standing  was 
erected  by  the  United  States  in  1803.  It  has  two 
lights,  about  70  feet  above  the  sea. 

Sayquish,  an  Indian  name  signifying  clams,  is  a 
head  land,  connected  with  the  Gurnet  by  a  narrow 
neck,  and  contains  about  14  acres.  Between  the 
Gurnet  and  the  western  point  of  Saquish,  the  cove 
is  formed,  which  was  'full  of  breakers,'  from  which 
the  Shallop  of  the  Pilgrims  when  driven  by  tempest, 
narrowly  escaped  destruction.  At  Stage  Point,  with- 
in this  cove,  Mr.  William  Paddy  and  Mr.  John  Hewes 
erected  fishing  stages  about  the  year  1643,  near  which 
Bass  were  seined.  Clark's  Island,  a  little  to  the  north 
of  Saquish,  has  already  been  described. 

Cow  Yard.  This  place,  from  the  arrival  of  the 
Mayflower  to  the  present  time,  has  served  as  a  most 
convenient  place  of  anchorage,  between  Beach  Point 
and  Clark's  Island ;  distant  from  Town  1 1  miles. 

Brown's  Island  is  about  one-half  a  mile  N.  N. 
West  of  Beach  Point.  Though  now  under  water,  it 
was  no  doubt  covered  with  trees,  when  the  pilgrims 
arrived,  and  was  one  of  the  '  two  islands'  of  the  harbor, 
mentioned  in  their  first  history.    This  is  confirmed  by 


272  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

the  statements  of  elderly  persons  now  living,  who  in 
their  early  days  discovered  the  stumps  of  trees  there. 
The  Island  being  so  near  the  anchorage  ground  of 
all  strangers  who  visited  New  England  for  many 
years,  the  trees  were  perhaps  soon  converted  into 
lire-wood,  leaving  it  exposed  to  a  rapid  destruction 
from  the  violence  of  easterly  storms.  Its  name  was 
probably  derived  from  Peter  Brown,  who  came  in 
the  Mayflower,  as  there  was  no  person  then  living  in 
the  colony  so  likely  to  give  it  that  name.  According 
to  Gov.  Winthrop,  Oct.  6,  1635,  two  shallops  were 
cast  away  upon  '  Brown's  Island,'  near  the  Gurnet's 
nose,  and  the  men  on  board  were  all  drowned. 

Agriculture  and  Horticulture.  As  a  farming 
town  Plymouth  possesses,  as  might  be  expected  from 
the  character  of  its  soil,  but  few  natural  advantages, 
and  the  inhabitants  have  generally  found  other  modes 
of  employment  more  profitable.  The  cleared  lands 
are  about  five  miles  by  one  half  in  extent.  On  this 
subject  a  friend  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
observes,  '  that  the  sea  by  equalizing  the  temperature 
through  the  year  gives  us  mild  winters  and  a  long 
'season.'  There  is  an  old  standing  prejudice  that 
nothing  on  the  New  England  coast  will  grow,  and 
we  are  sorry  to  see  that  Mr.  Downing,  in  his  very 
pleasant  book  on  the  fruits  of  America,  falls  in  with 
this  popular  error.  Nothing  is  more  certain,  than 
that  excessive  coldness  of  the  atmosphere  is  injurious 
to  vegetation  ;  but  with  us  the  east  wind  serves  only 
as  a  balance  to  the   broiling  summer  sun.      It   also 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  273 

retards  vegetation  in  the  spring,  and  thus  saves  us 
from  late  frosts,  often  so  destructive  in  the  interior  of 
the  state.  On  the  whole  we  are  thankful  for  the 
east  wind.  The  land  is  of  easy  tillage  and  from  the 
numerous  swamps  and  the  contiguous  shores  of  the 
sea  may  be  readily  supplied  and  enriched. 

The  fruits  exhibited  by  the  Old  Colony  Horticul- 
tural Society  in  September  and  October  of  1845, 
were  of  the  first  excellence,  and  have  never  been 
surpassed  in  New  England.  Skill  and  industry  have 
never  faded  from  the  east  wind  or  any  other  point  of 
climate.  Indeed,  there  are  many  indications  that  the 
art  of  gardening  will  not  only  receive  more  attention 
than  it  has  done  in  former  times,  but  take  the  place 
of  other  employments. 

Commerce  and  the  Fisheries.  One  of  the  in- 
ducements held  out  by  the  Pilgrims,  to  King  James 
the  first,  when  they  applied  for  a  patent,  was  the 
prospect  of  advantage  to  the  crown,  from  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  fisheries  in  America,  and  though  his 
Majesty  would  not  wholly  swallow  this  bait,  in 
exchange  for  toleration,  he  was  so  far  inclined  to  its 
taste,  'as  to  connive  at  them  if  they  would  carry 
themselves  peaceably.'  The  want  of  sufficient  capi- 
tal prevented  the  first  settlers  from  doing  much  in 
this  business,  and  the  manufacture  of  lumber,  and 
traffic  with  the  natives,  were  the  earliest  principal 
sources  of  income.  The  enterprise  of  Isaac  Allerton, 
however,  accomplished  much  in  this  respect ;  and 
Gov.  Winthrop  observes  in  his  history,  that,  February 


274  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

1st,  1633,  Mr.  Allerton  fished  with  eight  boats  at 
.  Marblehead.  That  the  fisheries  did  not  for  some 
time  increase  to  the  extent  anticipated,  appears  from 
the  fact  that  in  1628,  when  the  colony  trade  was 
purchased  for  six  years  and  assumed  by  eight  of  their 
number,  the  whole  amount  of  shipping  was,  '  the 
pinnace,  bass-boat,  and  shallop  at  Manomet.' 

In  1670,  the  valuation  of  fish  boats  was,  four  at  25 
pounds  ;  two  at  18  pounds;  one  at  12  pounds  ;  in  all 
148  pounds  sterling.  From  this  period  the  fisheries 
increased  more  rapidly,  and  in  1770  amounted  to 
about  seventy  sail,  from  thirty  to  forty-five  tons 
each,  navigated  by  from  six  to  eight  men. 

The  number  of  merchant  vessels  employed  in  the 
Liverpool  trade,  from  1755  to  1770  was  three  brigs 
amounting  to  four  hundred  and  seventy  tons.  At 
this  period  only  one  vessel,  Capt.  Worth,  sailed  from 
Boston  in  the  same  trade,  excepting  a  schooner 
owned  by  Samuel  A.  Otis,  Esq.,  which  made  her  out- 
fits at  Plymouth.  Other  vessels  in  the  merchant 
service  at  this  time  have  been  estimated  at  twenty. 

Vessels  employed  in  the  cod  and  mackerel  fisher- 
ies in  1845,  fifty-five  ;  tonnage  four  thousand  ;  mack- 
erel taken  one  hundred  and  twenty  barrels;  value 
$780;  codfish  40,617  quintals;  value  $93,107;  salt 
consumed  48,575  bushels;  capital  $104,993;  men 
employed  465.  Vessels  employed  in  the  whalefish- 
ery  five  ;  tonnage  998  ;  sperm  oil  imported  6,667  gal- 
lons; value  $6,007;  whale  oil  860  gallons  ;  value  $355; 
capital  77,000  ;  men  employed  107.     Several  freight- 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  275 

ing  ships  are  owned  by  our  merchants  engaged  in 
foreign  trade,  the  tonnage  not  ascertained.  Their 
outfits  are  made  mostly  in  Boston.* 

Manufactures.  There  are  two  rolling,  slitting, 
and  nail  mills  —  iron  manufactured  and  not  made  into 
nails,  600  tons,  value  $55,000  ;  nail  machines  30;  m'd 
1,000  tons ;  v.  85,000  ;  capital  $100,000 ;  hands  employ- 
ed 50.  One  of  these  establishments  is  at  Chilton- 
ville,  3  miles  from  town,  and  the  other  on  Town 
Brook.  One  forge,  bar  iron,  anchors,  and  cables  m'd 
346  tons;  value  8,800;  c.  $5000. 

The  Plymouth  mills  incorporated  in  1845,  capital 
30,000.  This  establishment  manufactures  a  large 
amount  of  rivets  of  a  superior  quality,  and  employs  12 
hands. 

Cordage  Manufactories  —  two  of  these  are  on  a 
large  scale,  having  water  power.  Cordage  made, 
912  tons;  value  $203,800;  capital  $133,700;  men 
employed,  139. 

The  factory  at  Chiltonville,  was  built  and  incor- 
porated in  1812,  under  the  name  of  the  Plym- 
outh Woollen  and  Cotton  Factory.  It  is  now  used 
for  manufacturing  cotton  ducks  ;  employs  a  capital  of 

*The  average  number  of  vessels  annually  engaged  in  the  fish- 
eries at  Plymouth  from  1765  to  1775  was  60 ;  tonnage  2,400 ;  men 
employed  420;  fish  taken  2,400  quintals,  mostly  shipped  to  the  West 
Indies  and  south  of  Europe.  The  vessels  thus  engaged  in  the  whole, 
state  of  Massachusetts  during  the  same  period  was  665 ;  tonnage 
25,630 ;  men  4,405 ;  fish  taken  250,650  quintals  ;  108,600  being  shipped 
to  the  south  of  Europe  ;  142,050  to  the  West  Indies.  See  Pitkin's 
Statistics,  page  S3. 


276  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

about  $10,000,  and  75  persons.  Value  of  manufac- 
tured goods  about  $75,000.  Since  the  present  liberal 
and  enterprising  owners  of  this  establishment  com- 
menced operations,  the  village  around  it  wears  a 
different  aspect,  and  is  greatly  improved, 

Oil  and  Sperm  Candle  Manufactories,  two  —  oil 
m'd,  45,500  gallons;  value  38,200;  candles  34,750 
pounds;  value  8,687;  capital  $45,000;  employed,  7. 

Two  establishments  in  town  are  engaged  to  a 
considerable  extent  in  the  manufacture  of  stocks  and 
other  articles  usually  connected  with  that  business, 
producing  annually  to  the  value  of  more  than  25,000 
dollars. 

With  the  advantages  of  water  and  rail  road  com- 
munication, it  is  believed  few  places  possess  better 
advantages  for  manufacturing  pursuits.  It  possesses 
the  best  accommodations  for  the  erection  of  steam 
power,  and  there  is  still  a  surplus  of  water  power, 
now  practically  unavailable,  which  in  time  may  be- 
come the  means  of  adding  largely  to  the  business  of 
the  town. 

Census  of  Plymouth  at  Different  Periods. 
In  a  work  on  New  England,  by  Capt.  John  Smith, 
published  in  1631,  which  may  be  found  in  the  Mass- 
achusetts Historical  Collections  vol.  3,  3d  series  —  he 
says,  under  date  of  1624.  '  In  the  plantation  their  is 
about  one  hundred  and  four  score  persons,  some 
cattle,  but  many  swine  and  poultry.'  In  1629,  when 
the  colony  charter  was  granted,  the  number  of  inhab- 
itants mentioned  in  that  instrument  was  300,  and 


RECOLLECTIONS   OF    THE     PILGRIMS.  277 

Smith,  before  quoted,  when  speaking  of  Gov.  Win- 
throp's  colony,  in  1631,  estimates  the  number  in 
Plymouth  at  between  four  and  five  hundred  persons. 
The  introduction  of  cattle  into  the  colony,  induced 
the  planters  to  seek  out  situations  favorable  for  their 
support,  and  for  many  years,  mowing  lands  were 
annually  granted  by  the  court,  to  different  individuals. 
This  arrangement,  however,  was  too  limited,  and 
situations  more  favorable  in  the  abundance  of  grass, 
led  many  planters  to  establish  themselves  at  Jones 
River,  Duxbury,  Marshfield,  Barnstable  and  Yar- 
mouth. In  1644,  it  was  seriously  debated  whether 
the  whole  body  should  remove  to  some  more  favora- 
ble region.  This  question  was  so  far  settled  that 
seven  individuals  commenced  the  settlement  of  East- 
ham;  but  whatever  advantages  that  place  afforded,  it 
was  found  inadequate  to  accommodate  the  whole, 
and  pilgrim  ground  had  attractions,  it  seems,  which 
the  hope  of  gain  could  not  wholly  overcome. 

In  1701  a  division  of  lands  was  made  among  201 
freeholders  of  Plymouth.  Estimating  their  families 
at  6  each,  the  population  would  be  1,206,  an  estimate 
probably  not  far  from  the  truth.  In  1643,  the  males 
from  16  to  60  years  of  age,  capable  of  bearing  arms, 
were  146.  One  in  the  score,  was  the  rate  of  military 
service.  In  1646,  the  Freemen  and  Townsmen 
(voters)  were  79;  1670,  51;  1683,  55;  1689,  15. 

In    1764.     Including   77   colored   persons  and    48 
Indians,  the  number  of  inhabitants  was  2,225;   1776, 
2,655;   1783,  2,380.     According  to  the  United  States 
22 


278  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

census  in  1790,  2,995;  1800,  3,524;  1810,4,228;  1820, 
4,348;  1830,4,758;  1840,5,281.  The  present  popu- 
lation is  probably  about  5,600. 

The  number  of  dwelling  houses,  including  98  at 
Manomet  ponds,  is  704.  The  number  of  ratable 
polls  1,305;  qualified  voters  1,251.  Taxable  property 
in  1845,  $2,271,300,  at  5,28  on  1000  dollars. 

The  list  of  persons  in  the  Colony  able  to  bear  arms, 
from  the  age  of  16  to  60  years,  as  taken  from  the 
records,  under  date  of  1643,  was,  in  Plymouth,  146; 
Duxbury,  82;  Scituate,  100;  Barnstable,  60;  Yar- 
mouth, 59  ;  Sandwich,  68  ;  Marshfield,  50  ;  Taunton, 
54.  Estimating  the  men  able  to  bear  arms  as  one  in 
5,  the  population  of  1643,  would  stand,  in  Plymouth, 
730,  and  in  the  whole  Colony,  3,055.  * 

Public  Buildings.  The  Court  House  standing 
in  Court  Square,  (in  early  times  called  Framing 
Green,)  was  built  in  1820,  and  is  fitted  up  in  the  best 
manner,  for  accommodating  the  courts  of  law,  and 
the  public  officers  of  the  county ;  having  fire-proof 
apartments  for  the  safe  keeping  of  records.  The 
jail  and  dwelling-house  attached  to  it,  were  built 
about  the  same  time.     The  first  prison  was  erected 

*  The  probable  number  of  Indians  inhabiting  New  England  at 
the  time  when  the  Pilgrims  landed,  is  estimated  by  the  Hon.  Albert 
Gallatin  at  from  30  to  40,000  ;  and  of  this  number  it  is  equally  probable 
that  from  15  to  20,000,  lived  within  40  miles  of  Plymouth.  When  this 
number  is  compared  with  the  small  number  of  the  English  inhabitants 
in  the  Colony,  as  shown  by  the  preceding  statements,  it  may  justly 
excite  our  wonder  that  they  were  able  to  sustain  their  perilous  posi- 
tion in  the  land. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  279 

in  1641  and  was  22  feet  by  16,  two  stories  high,  and 
stood  near  Prison  Brook  in  Summer  street,  where  the 
house  lately  owned  by  Nathaniel  Russell,  Esq., 
stands.  The  second  jail  stood  in  the  same  street  on 
the  lot  owned  by  Capt.  Ichabod  Davie  ;  and  the  third 
where  the  Town  House  above  described,  stands.  It 
is  gratifying  to  remark,  that  though  the  size  of  these 
necessary  instruments  of  terror  to  evil  doers,  has 
been  successively  enlarged,  there  seems  to  have  been, 
for  many  years  past,  less  occasion  for  their  use. 

Pilgrim  Hall  has  already  been  described. 

Alms  House.  In  1626,  the  town  purchased  a  few 
acres  of  land  situated  on  the  south  side  of  Town  Brook, 
on  which  they  erected  a  commodious  brick  house, 
and  other  buildings,  at  the  cost  of  about  $5,000,  where 
the  destitute  are  comfortably  provided,  under  the 
charge  of  a  superintendent,  annually  appointed.  The 
amount  of  expenditure,  above  the  income  of  labor,  is 
about  $1,500,  exclusive  of  the  sums  paid  for  cases  of 
insanity,  where  individuals  are  sent  to  the  Worcester 
Hospital,  amounting,  for  six  individuals,  to  about 
$800. 

The  Market  is  kept  under  the  Court  House,  and 
is  well  supplied  with  most  kinds  of  wild  fowl,  poultry 
and  other  substantial  articles  of  consumption  required 
by  the  wants  of  the  people. 

Societies.  The  Pilgrim  Society  was  instituted 
in  1620,  by  the  citizens  of  Plymouth  and  others  in 
New  England,  to  commemorate  the  landing  and  to 
honor  the  memory  of  the  intrepid    men,  who  first 


280  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH, 


stepped  on  Plymouth  Rock.  The  present  number  of 
the  society  is  about  .  The  condition  of  member- 
ship was  formerly  the  payment  of  10  dollars,  now 
reduced  to  the  sum  of  five  dollars.  An  appropriate 
diploma,  has  been  prepared  for  distribution,  to  those 
who  join  the  society. 

The  first  Presidents  of  the  Society  were  Hon. 
Joshua  Thomas,  John  Watson,  Alden  Bradford,  and 
Nath.  M.  Davis,  Esqrs. 

The  present  officers  are  Charles  Henry  Warren, 
President ;  William  Davis,  Vice  President ;  Andrew 
L.  Russell,  Recording  Secretary ;  Benjamin  M.  Wat- 
son, Corresponding  Secretary ;  William  S.  Russell, 
Librarian  and  Cabinet  Keeper;  Nathaniel  M.  Davis, 
John  B  Thomas,  Isaac  L.  Hedge,  William  M.  Jack- 
son, Schuyler  Sampson,  Joseph  Cushman,  of  Plym- 
outh, and  James  T.  Hayward  and  William  Thomas, 
of  Boston,  Trustees. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  who  have  delivered 
public  addresses  in  commemoration  of  the  landing  of 
the  fathers,  in  1620.  The  asterisk  prefixed  to  some 
of  the  names,  designates  those  whose  discourses 
have  not  been  published. 

1769,  First  celebration  by  Old  Colony  Club. 

1770,  Second  celebration  by  Old  Colony  Club. 

1771,  Third  celebration  by  Old  Colony  Club. 

1772,  Rev.   Chandler  Robbins  — For  Old   Colony 

Club. 

1773,  Rev.  Charles  Turner  —  For  Old  Colony  Club. 

By  the  town  and  by  the  first  parish. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  281 

1774,  Rev.  Gad  Hitchcock,  Pembroke. 

1775,  Rev.  Samuel  Baldwin,  Hanover. 

1776,  Rev.  Sylvanus  Conant,  Middleborough. 

1777,  Rev.  Samuel  West,  Dartmouth. 

1778,  Rev.  Timothy  Hilliard,  Barnstable.  * 

1779,  Rev.  William  Shaw,  Marshfield.  * 

1780,  Rev.  Jonathan  Moor,  Rochester.  # 

From  this  time  the  public  observances  of  the  day- 
were  suspended,  till 

1794,  Rev.  Chandler  Robbins,  D.  D.,  of  Plymouth. 

1795,  } 

1796,  [-Private  Celebration. 

1797,  j 

1798,  Dr.  Zaccheus  Bartlett,  Plymouth,  Oration.* 

1799,  The  day  came  so  near  that  appointed  for  the 
ordination  of  Rev.  Mr.  Kendall,  that  it  was  not  cele- 
brated by  a  public  discourse. 

1800,  John  Davis,  Esq.,  Boston,  Oration.  # 

1801,  Rev.  John  Allyn,  D.  D.,  Duxbury. 

1802,  John  Q.  Adams,  Esq.,  Quincy,  Oration. 

1803,  Rev.  John  T.  Kirkland,  D.  D.,  Boston.  * 

1804,  (Lord's   Day)   Rev.  James   Kendall,  Plym- 

outh. * 

1805,  Alden  Bradford,  Esq.,  Boston. 

1806,  Rev.  Abiel  Holmes,  D.  D.,  Cambridge. 

1807,  Rev.  James  Freeman,  D.  D.,  Boston.  # 

1808,  Rev.  Thaddeus  M.  Harris,  Dorchester. 

1809,  Rev.  Abiel  Abbot,  Beverly. 
1811,  Rev.  John  Elliot,  D.  D.,  Boston. 
1815,  Rev.  James  Flint,  Bridgewater. 


282  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

1817,  Rev.  Horace  Holley,  Boston.  * 

1818,  Wendell  Davis,  Esq.,  Sandwich.* 

1819,  Francis  C.  Gray,  Esq.,  Boston. 

1820,  Daniel  Webster,   Esq.,    Boston,  by  Pilgrim 

Society. 
1824,  Professor  Edward    Everett,   Cambridge,  by 

Pilgrim  Society. 
1831,  Rev.  John  Brazer,  Salem,  by  First  Parish  in 

Plymouth* 
The  following  anniversaries  were  commemorated 
by  the  third  parish  in  Plymouth. 

1826,  Rev.  Richard  S.  Storrs,  Braintree. 

1827,  Rev.  Lyman  Beecher,  D.  D.,  Boston. 

1828,  Rev.  Samuel  Green,  Boston. 

1829,  Rev.  Daniel  Huntington,  Bridgewater. 

1830,  Rev.  Benjamin  Wisner,  D.  D.,  Boston. 

1831,  Rev.  John  Codman,  D.  D.,  Dorchester. 

1832,  Rev.  Convers  Francis  of  Watertown  for  the 

First  Parish. 
Rev.  Mr.  Bigelow  of  Rochester,  for  the  third 
Parish. 

1833,  Rev.   Mr.  Barrett  of  Boston,  for   the   First 

Parish. 

1834,  Rev.  G.  W.  Blagden  of  Boston,  for  the  Pil- 

grim Society. 

1835,  Hon.  Peleg  Sprague,  by  Pilgrim  Society. 

1837,  Rev.  Robert  B.  Hall,  by  Pilgrim  Society  * 

1838,  Rev.  Thomas  Robbins,  by  Pilgrim  Society* 
1841,  Joseph  R.   Chandler,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia, 

by  Pilgrim  Society.* 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  283 

1845,  a  public  celebration,  religions  services  in  the 
First  church,  a  public  dinner  and  addresses. 

Public  celebrations  of  the  Anniversary  of  the 
Landing,  have  been  frequent  in  other  parts  of  our 
country,  particularly  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and 
the  New  England  Society  there,  instituted  in  1807, 
to  honor  the  memory  of  the  Pilgrims,  we  believe 
has  rarely  permitted  the  day  to  pass,  without  the 
observance  of  public  services.  Purposes  of  relief  to 
the  destitute  are  connected  with  the  objects  of  this 
society,  and  in  this  respect  its  operations  have  ac- 
complished great  good.  There  is  also  a  similar 
association  at  Charlestown,  South  Carolina,  formed 
in  1820,  and  one  at  Philadelphia,  1845.  The  day  has 
also  been  celebrated  publicly,  west  of  the  Allegha- 
nies,  at  Hillsboro',  Cincinnati,  New  Orleans,  Louis- 
ville, and  St.  Louis. 

Diseases  of  Plymouth.  The  most  prevalent 
diseases,  in  the  town  of  Plymouth,  are  those  affect- 
ing the  organs  within  the  cavity  of  the  chest ;  and  to 
these  pulmonary  consumption  bears  its  usual  propor- 
tion, and  pursues  its  ordinary  fatal  course,  occasioning 
perhaps  one-sixth  of  the  whole  number  of  deaths. 
Other  inflammatory  diseases,  as  dysentery  and  rheu- 
matism, are  met  with,  but  seldom  prove  fatal. 
Idiopathic  fevers,  assuming  the  typhoid  type,  are 
occasionally  seen,  but  are  much  less  common  than 
elsewhere,  in  the  compact  part  of  the  town,  and  are 
not  often  malignant  or  mortal.  Among  children, 
croup,   lung   fevers,   cholera   and   diarrhoea,  are  the 


284  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

prevailing  diseases ;  the  first  comparatively  infrequent, 
but  the  three  last  of  greater  frequency,  often  difficult 
of  management,  and  fatal  in  their  tendency.  Epi- 
demics of  scarlet  fever  and  measles  appear  at 
periods  of  the  usual  interval,  and  produce  their  usual 
average  of  mortality.  Insanity  bears  perhaps  rather 
an  uncommon  proportion  to  the  population.  As  a 
general  remark,  it  may  be  said,  that  the  inhabitants 
of  this  town  are  more  healthy  than  those  of  places 
in  its  vicinity.  —  Communicated  by  Dr.  Warren. 

Bill  of  Mortality.  The  deaths  in  seven  years, 
from  1836  to  1842  inclusive,  according  to  Record, 
were  649,  —  an  average  of  92 f  per  annum,  being 
about  one  in  664  of  the  whole  population.  The 
average  deaths,  during  the  last  three  years,  is  not  far 
from  the  same.  It  is  believed  that  the  health  of 
Plymouth  may  well  compare  with  that  of  any  other 
place  in  the  county,  but  the  means  of  an  accurate 
comparison  are  not  at  hand. 

Physicians  in  Plymouth  from  1620.  —  Those 
with  this  mark  ♦  died  in  Plymouth. 

*  Samuel  Fuller,  from  1620  to  1633. 

Matthew  Fuller,  from  1640  to  1653,  died  at  Barn- 
stable. 

♦Francis  LeBaron,  1693  to  1704. 

♦Thomas  Little,  1700  to  1712. 

♦Lazarus  LeBaron,  1720  to  1773. 

♦Joseph  LeBaron,  to  1761. 

♦Lazarus  LeBaron  Jr.,  to  1784. 

♦William  Thomas,  1802. 

♦Nathaniel  Lathrop,  M.  D.,  1828. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  285 

*James  Thatcher,  M.  D.,  M.  M.  S.,  1844. 

*Rosseter  Cotton.      -  ,  -; 

^Stephen  Marcy. 

*Zacheus  Bartlett,  1835. 

*Isaac  Barrows. 

*Caleb  Boutelle,  M.  D.,  M.  M.  S.t  1819. 

Andrew  Mackie,  M.  D.,  M.  M.  S.,  removed. 

Robert  Capen,  M.  M.  S.,  removed. 

*Hervey  K  Preston,  M.  D.,  M.  M.  S.,  1837. 

Charles  Cotton,  M.  D.,  removed. 

Amariah  Preston,  removed. 

Levi  Hubbard,  removed. 

Living  in  Plymouth  at  present  — 

Nathan    Hayward,    M.  D.,  M.  M.  S.,  relinquished 
practice. 

Winslow  Warren,  M.  D.,  M.  M.  S. 

Timothy  Gordon,  M.  M.  S. 

Alexander  Jackson,  M.  D.,  M.  M.  S. 

Benjamin  Hubbard. 

Samuel  Merritt,  M.  M.  S.. 

Public  Schools.  The  first  instance  of  legislation 
on  the  subject  of  Free  Schools  is  found  in  the  court 
proceedings  of  1663,  as  follows:  'It  is  proposed  by 
the  Court  unto  the  several  townships  in  this  jurisdic- 
tion as  a  thing  that  they  ought  to  take  into  their  serious 
consideration  that  some  course  may  be  taken  that  in 
every  town  there  may  be  a  schoolmaster  set  up  to  train 
up  children  to  reading  and  writing.'  At  this  time  42 
years  had  elapsed  from  the  first  settlement  of  Plym- 
outh. Previous  to  this  period,  the  Colony  was  prin- 
22* 


286  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

cipally  indebted,  for  the  means  of  education,  to  the 
learned  and  venerable  clergy,  who  preferred  noncon- 
formity and  exile,  rather  than  adapt  their  consciences 
to  the  requisitions  of  unrighteous  power.  In  every 
new  settlement,  the  first  object  was  to  establish  public 
worship,  and  secure  an  able  minister;  and  the  flock 
under  his  charge  were  not  left  without  an  earnest 
endeavor  to  impart,  at  least,  the  knowledge  of  the 
scriptures,  and  ability  to  read  them.  These  efforts, 
under  every  disadvantage  of  poverty  and  severe 
labor,  paved  the  way  for  the  school  house. 

In  the  year  1635,  Feb.  11th,  it  appears  from  the 
Old  Colony  Records,  that  '  Benjamin  Eaton,  with  his 
mother's  consent,  is  put  to  Bridget  Fuller,  (the  wid- 
ow of  Dr.  Samuel  Fuller,)  being  to  keep  him  at  school 
two  years,  and  employ  him  after  in  such  service  as 
slie  saw  good,  and  he  may  be  fit  for:  It  further 
appears  from  Dr.  Fuller's  will  in  1633,  that  several 
young  persons  were  in  his  family,  some  belonging  to 
Massachusetts.  It  is  therefore  inferred  that  Mrs. 
Fuller  was  the  first  Pilgrim  Schoolmistress.  In  after 
times  the  names  of  Mrs.  Cotton,  Keen,  Rickard,  Cobb, 
Plasket,  Weston  and  others,  were  teachers,  most  of 
them  to  quite  an  advanced  period  of  life. 

In  1670  a  grant  was  made  by  the  government  of 
the  Colony,  'of  all  such  profits  as  might  or  should 
annually  accrue  to  the  Colony,  from  time  to  time  for 
fishing  with  nets  or  seines  at  Cape  Cod,  for  mackerel, 
bass  or  herrings,  to  be  improved  for  and  towards  a 
free  school,  in  some  town  of  this  jurisdiction,  provided 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE     PILGRIMS.  287 

a  beginning  were  made  within  one  year  from  the 
grant.'  In  1672,  by  another  act  of  court  in  conjunc- 
tion with  the  appropriation  of  the  income  of  lands  at 
Agawam  and  Seipecan  and  liberal  individual  sub- 
scriptions, means  were  secured  adequate  to  the 
support  of  a  Grammar  School,  which  has  been  con- 
tinued to  the  present  time,  with  improvements  corre- 
sponding to  the  increase  of  means.  In  the  establish- 
ment of  free  schools  Gov.  Prence  was  zealous  and 
persevering,  and  his  memory  is  prominently  associ- 
ated in  connection  with  an  institution,  fraught  with 
the  highest  benefits  to  our  community. 

From  the  observations  of  the  late  Samuel  Davis 
Esq.,  on  the  schools  of  Plymouth,  the  following  re- 
marks are  extracted.  '  Cape  Cod  therefore,  which 
afforded  the  first  shelter  to  the  Pilgrims  in  1620,  at  a 
subsequent  period,  as  we  have  stated  from  our  records, 
afforded  also  the  first  fund  for  the  Education  of  their 
children.'  # 

Under  the  date  of  July  4th,  1672,  an  act  of  Court 
recommends  a  contribution  by  the  people  of  the 
Colony  for  the  benefit  of  Harvard  College. 

The  sum  of  $6,000  is  appropriated  for  public 
schools  the  present  year,  which  is  divided  among 
districts,  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  children 
from  the  age  of  4  to  16  years  — nearly  four  dollars 
to  each  —  the  whole  number  being  1524.  Besides 
this  appropriation,  many  districts  pay  by  subscription 
a  considerable  amount,  in  addition.  Number  of  dis- 
tricts, 18. 

*  See  Appendix  F. 


288  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Private  Schools.  Of  these  there  are  two  in 
town,  in  which  the  higher  branches  of  learning  are 
taught,  and  well  sustained  by  students  both  at  home 
and  from  abroad,  one  of  which,  for  Misses,  is  kept  by 
the  Rev.  Henry  F.  Edes,  and  the  other  by  Charles 
Burton,  Esq. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  born  in  Plymouth, 
who  were  graduates  at  our  Colleges.  Those  marked 
thus  *  are  deceased ;  those  in  italics  have  been 
ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 

1642,  *  Nathaniel  Brewster. 

1650,  *Isaac  Allerton. 

1661,  *  Nathaniel  Chauncy,  )       Twin  sons  of 

*Elnalhan  Chauncy,  )  Rev.  Dr.  Chauncy. 
1663,  *John  Rayner. 
1635,  *  Roland  Cotton. 
1698,  *Josiah   Cotton. 
1701,  *Throphilus   Cotton. 
1707,  *  William  Shurtleff. 
1726,  *Isaac  Lathrop. 
1730,  *John  Cotton. 
1735,  *John  Watson. 
1745,  *  James  Warren. 
1745,  *Thomas  Foster. 
1751,  ^William  Watson. 
1753,  *Pelham  Winslow. 
1756,  *Bartlett  Le  Baron. 
1756,  ^Nathaniel  Lathrop. 
1759,  *AUel  Leonard,  S.  T.  D.  Nassau  Hall. 

1765,  *Edward  Winslow. 

1766,  *John  Watson. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


289 


i 


1768,  *Thomas  Leonard. 
1771,  Perez  Morton. 

1771,  * Jacob  Bacon. 

1772,  *Joshua  Thomas. 
1776,  *James  Warren. 

1781,  John  Davis,  LL.  D.  Dartmouth. 

1782,  *Chandler  Robbins. 
1782,  ^Joseph  Bartlett. 

1782,  ^Charles  Warren. 

1783,  Barnabas  Hedge. 
1783,  William  Jackson. 

1789,  Zaccheus  Bartlett. 

1790,  *  Joseph  Warren. 
1793,  Ward  Cotton. 
1796,  *Wendell  Davis. 
1798,  Andrew  Croswell. 

1798,  * Samuel  Prince  Robbins. 

1799,  Abner  Bartlett. 
1802,  *  Caleb  Holmes, 
1804,  Nathaniel  Morton  Davis. 

1806,  John  Boies  Thomas. 

1807,  *Ezra  Shaw   Goodwin. 

1807,  William  Thomas. 

1808,  Charles   Cotton. 
1808,  *John  Torrey. 
1810,  *John  Watson  Davis. 
1810,  John  Cotton. 
1810,  Rnfns  Bacon. 

1813,  Winslow  Warren. 

1814,  *Isaac  Eames  Cobb. 

1815,  Pelham  Winslow  Warren. 


290  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

1817,  Charles  Henry  Warren. 
181b,   Sidney  Bartlett. 
1820,  Isaac  Lolhrop  Hedge. 
1820,  Nathaniel  Russell. 
1823,  James  Augustus  Kendall. 

1826,  Hersey  Bradford  Goodwin. 

1827,  George  Bartlett. 

1827,  Andrew  Leach  Russell. 

1831,  #  Francis  James  Russell. 

1832,  Le  Baron  Russell. 

1833,  Winslow  Marston  Watson. 

1835,  Allen  Crocker  Spooner. 
Lemuel  Stephens. 

1836,  ^Robert  Bartlett. 
James  Thacher  Hodge. 

1837,  William  Davis. 

1839,  Benjamin  Marston  Watson. 

1840,  Charles  Gideon  Davis. 
William  Goodwin  Russell. 

1841,  Abraham  Jackson. 

1842,  William  Thomas  Davis. 
John  Goddard  Jackson. 

1843,  John  Jackson  Russell. 
1845,  Thomas  Russell. 

Churches  of  Plymouth.  The  First  Congrega- 
tional Church.  Succession  of  Pastors  :  Ralph  Smith 
1629;  John  Rayner,  1636;  John  Cotton,  1668 
Ephraim  Little,  1699;  Nathaniel  Leonard,  1724 
Chandler  Bobbins,  1760;  James  Kendall,  1800 
George  W.  Briggs  as  colleague  Pastor,  1837. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  291 

Second  Cong,  church  at  Manomet  Ponds.  This 
church  was  organized  Nov.  8,  1738,  and  consisted  of 
25  members.  Pastors,  Jonathan  Ellis,  ordained  Nov. 
8,  1738,  dismissed  Feb.  1,  1757;  Elijah  Packard,  or- 
dained Dec.  26,  1753,  dismissed,  Feb.  1,  1757;  Ivory 
Hovey,  installed  April  18,  1770,  died  Nov.  4,  1803; 
Seth  Stetson  ordained  July  18,  1804,  dismissed 
1819;  Harvey  Bushnell  ordained  Nov.  21,  1821,  dis- 
missed June  30,  1823 ;  Moses  Partridge  ordained 
April  21,  1824,  died  Sept.  25,  1824;  Joshua  Barrett 
ordained  Jan.  11,  1826,  dismissed  Nov.  11,  1833; 
Gains  Conant  installed  April  24,  1834,  dismissed 
May  14,  1841;  John  Dwight  installed  July  28,  1841. 

Third  Cong.  Church,  or  Church  of  the  Pilgrimage. 
Their  first  house  of  worship  was  built  in  1801;  the 
present  one  in  1844.  Pastors,  Adoniram  Judson, 
installed  May  12,  1802.  His  connection  was  dis- 
solved with  the  church  in  1819,  he  having  embraced 
the  Baptist  faith.  William  T.  Torrey  was  installed 
Jan.  1,  1818,  dismissed  March  12,  1823.  Frederic 
Freeman  installed  1S24.  In  1830,  sanctioned  by  a 
council  convened  on  the  17th  of  March,  a  separation 
of  this  church  occurred,  and  59  members  were 
formed  into  a  new  church,  denominated  the  Robin- 
son Congregational  Church.  The  connection  of  Mr. 
Freeman  with  this  church  was  dissolved   in  May, 

1833.  Thomas   Boutelle  was   ordained    May  21st, 

1834,  dismissed  April  4,  1837.  Robert  B.  Hall,  or- 
dained Aug.  23,  1837,  and  having  addressed  a  letter 
of  resignation  to  the  church,  his  connection  with  it 


292  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

was  dissolved  in   1844.     Charles   S.  Porter  was  in- 
stalled 1844. 

The  Fourth  Congregational  Church,  at  Eel  River, 
was  organized  in  1814,  from  the  first  and  third 
churches.  Benjamin  Whittemore  was  their  first 
minister,  and  still  continues  in  that  office.  The 
Society  erected  a  new  church  in  1840  of  spacious 
size  and  handsome  appearance. 

Baptist  Society.  This  church  was  constituted  in 
1809,  and  Lewis  Leonard  was  ordained  their  first 
pastor,  on  which  occasion  Rev.  Caleb  Blood  delivered 
the  sermon.  Mr.  Leonard  was  succeeded  by  Stephen 
S.  Nelson,  July  28,  1820,  who  continued  till  May, 
1823,  at  which  time  Benjamin  Grafton  became  their 
pastor,  who  resigned  in  May  1829,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Thomas  Conant.  The  successive  pastors 
after  this  period  were  E.  Cushman,  Horatio  N. 
Foring,  Joseph  M.  Driver,  Ira  Person,  and  Abial 
Harvey,  who  is  the  present  pastor,  and  commenced 
his  labors  Oct.  12,  1845. 

The  Fifth  Congregational  or  Robinson  Society 
was  formed,  as  already  stated,  in  1830.  They  erect- 
ed in  1831  a  neat  house  of  worship,  and  engaged 
Charles  J.  Warren  as  their  pastor.  The  present 
pastor  of  this  church  is  Aaron  Foster. 

The  First  Universalist  Society  was  organized 
March  10,  1822.  Rev.  James  H.  Bugby  was  ordained 
Dec.  22d  of  the  same  year,  and  continued  till  his 
death,  May  10,  1834.  Rev.  Albert  Case  was  their 
pastor  from    1835   to    1838.       In    May,    1839,    Rev. 


RECOLLECTIONS     OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  293 

Russell  Tomlinson  became  the  pastor,  which  charge 
he  still  holds.  This  society,  in  1826,  erected  a  spa- 
cious and  handsome  house  of  worship,  on  the  north 
side  of  Leyden  street. 

The  Christian  Church.  This  church  was  formed 
May  30,  1824,  and  has  been  with  some  intervals 
under  the  charge  of  Elders  J.  V.  Himes,  O.  E. 
Bryant,  T.  Cole,  G.  W.  Kelton,  L.  Baker,  J.  Good- 
win, and  John  Taylor,  their  present  minister.  The 
society  having  purchased  the  house  of  worship  for- 
merly owned  by  the  3d  Cong.  Society,  on  Training 
Green,  the  same  has  been  repaired  and  improved, 
affording  excellent  accommodations. 

Another  church  of  this  denomination  was  organ- 
ized at  Eel  River,  (now  Chiltonville,)  in  1840,  con- 
sisting of  13  persons,  now  increased  to  60.  A  neat 
and  convenient  house  of  worship  was  erected  in 
1840,  principally  through  the  exertions  of  their  first 
and  present  minister,  Elder  Faunce,  a  descendant  of 
Thomas  Faunce,  the  last  ruling.  Elder  of  the  first 
church  of  Plymouth. 

Christ's  Church.  On  the  14th  day  of  November, 
1844,  the  parish  of  Christ's  church  was  duly  organized 
in  conformity  with  the  provisions  of  the  Revised 
Statutes,  and  the  requisite  officers  were  chosen.  A 
church  was  commenced  in  Russell  street,  which. was 
completed  and  consecrated  in  October.  It  is  a  beauti- 
ful structure,  in  the  Gothic  style  of  architecture,  com- 
bining the  advantages  of  economy  and  of  tasteful 
execution  in  an  eminent  degree.  The  design  was  by 
Richard  Um'ohn  Esci.  Of  New  York. 


294  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Ponds.  The  number  of  ponds  in  Plymouth  is 
estimated  at  200,  and  the  map  of  Plymouth,  by  S. 
Bourne,  Esq.,  contains  about  120 ;  a  considerable 
portion  of  which,  would  in  most  other  parts  of  our 
country,  be  designated  as  lakes.  They  cover,  as  is 
generally  estimated,  3000  acres  in  extent.  The 
most  attractive  of  these,  are  Bellington  Sea,  already 
described,  South  Pond,  four  miles  from  town,  abound- 
ing with  white  and  red  Perch.  Murdoch's  Pond  is  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  west  of  the  village.  Half-way 
Pond  is  10  miles  southerly.  White  Island  Pond  is 
north-westerly  of  the  last  named,  and  covers  about 
600  acres.  Great  Herring  Pond  is  15  miles  south,  on 
the  borders  of  Sandwich.  Long  Pond,  2  miles  in 
length,  6  miles  from  town.  Clam  Pudding  Pond  is  7 
miles  south  on  the  Sandwich  road. 

The  general  features  and  scenery  of  these  lakes 
are  picturesque  and  beautiful,  affording  the  most 
agreeable  resorts  in  summer,  for  fishing  and  other 
amusements. 

Hills.  Pinnacle  Hill  is  near  South  Pond.  Sentry 
and  Indian  Hill  are  on  the  sea-shore  of  Manomet. 

Paukopunnakuck  is  the  Indian  name  of  a  hill  called 
Breakheart  Hill  by  the  early  planters.  It  is  10  miles 
from  town,  on  the  formerly  travelled  Sandwich  road. 
The  name  was  appropriately  applied  at  a  period  in 
our  early  history,  when  Governors,  and  other  officers 
of  Government,  travelled  on  foot  from  Cape  Cod 
and  back  again,  in  the  discharge  of  their  arduous 
duties  to  the  country. 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  295 

Monks  Hill  is  a  few  miles  from  town,  within  the 
bounds  of  Kingston.  It  rises  313  feet  above  the 
ocean,  in  the  midst  of  a  widely  extended  forest,  and 
commands  a  fine  view  of  the  ocean  and  interior.  It 
is  called  in  the  Old  Colony  Records,  « Monts  Hill 
Chase,'  a  name  supposed  to  have  been  applied  to  a 
hunt  in  England.* 

Mountain  Hill  is  near  goose  point.  Sparrow1  s  Hill, 
2  miles  from  town,  derives  its  name  from  Jonathan 
Sparrow,  who  was  an  early  settler  and  had  land 
assigned  him  there.  He  moved  to  Eastham  and  died 
there  about  1660. 

1  Steart's  Hill/  so  called  by  the  first  planters,  is 
directly  below  the  farm  now  owned  by  Mr.  Barnabas 
Hedge,  on  the  sea  shore,  and  is  supposed  to  have 
been  named  '  from  Start's  Point,  a  place  near  Ply- 
mouth in  England.'  The  house  of  Gov.  Prence 
stood  a  little  south  of  that  occupied  by  Mr.  Hedge, 
and  the  place  was  called  Plain  Dealing,  which  name 
extended,  it  is  believed,  to  Kingston  line.  It  would 
seem  desirable  to  revive  this  ancient  name,  of  a 
place  which  was  owned  at  different  times  by  several 
distinguished  men  among  the  first  planters. 

Brooks.  These  are  five  in  number,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  town.     Near  the  3d  brook  dwelt  Deacon 


*  The  author  of  '  New  England  Wars,'  whose  youthful  footsteps 
so  often  traversed  the  woodland  scenery  of  his  native  hills,  has 
availed  himself  of  this  spot  as  the  place  of  interview  between  a 
venerable  Puritan,  whose  daughter  had  been  taken  captive  by  the 
Indians,  and  King  Philip,  the  renowned  warrior  of  Pokanoket. 


296  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Hirst,  in  1640,  who  there  established  the  first  Tan- 
nery in  Plymouth. 

Wellingsly  Brook  is  half  a  mile  south  of  the  town, 
where  Secretary  Morton  dwelt,  and  justly  claims 
historical  interest,  in  connection  with  his  valuable 
labors,  in  compiling  the  history  of  N.  England  and 
our  early  church  records,  and  recording  the  transac- 
tions of  the  commissioners  of  the  United  Colonies. 

Eel  River,  about  3  miles  south-east  of  the  town, 
was  so  named  from  the  abundant  supply  of  eels  it 
affords.  Near  it,  on  both  sides  the  river,  was  a  garri- 
son house  during  Philip's  war.  The  house  which 
stood  near  that  now  owned  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Whitte- 
more,  was  occupied  by  William  Clark,  and  on  Sun- 
day the  12th  of  March,  1676,  it  was  attacked  by  the 
Indians,  and  eleven  persons  were  killed  and  several 
houses  burnt.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  this  was 
the  only  serious  attack  made  on  Plymouth  by  the 
Indians,  though  it  had  frequently  been  threatened 
during  its  early  history. 

Elder  Fan  nee  resided  on  the  road  leading  to  Eel 
River  Bridge,  and  his  amiable  character  and  great 
age,  attracted  many  distinguished  visitors  on  their 
way  to  and  from  the  Cape. 

Town  Records.  These  were  commenced  in  1638, 
at  which  time  no  settlement  had  been  made  beyond 
the  town  limits  —  and  the  Old  Colony  Records 
contain  most  of  the  municipal  regulations  which  were 
previously  adopted.  The  first  entry  in  the  Town 
Records  relates  to  a  division  of  cattle  wThich  had  con- 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  297 

siderably  increased  from  a  single  heifer,  given  in 
1624.  to  begin  a  stock  for  the  poor,  by  James  Shirley. 
Mr.  Shirley  was  one  of  the  Merchant  Adventurers  of 
London,  an  influential  and  devoted  friend  of  the 
Colony,  as  appears  from  his  correspondence  with 
Gov.  Bradford.  It  would  be  gratifying  to  learn  more 
of  this  early  benefactor  of  Plymouth,  than  history 
yet  affords.  It  is  also  desirable,  that  the  recommen- 
dation of  Judge  Davis,  in  a  note  to  the  Memorial, 
should  be  executed  by  the  town  in  designating  some 
street  or  square  by  his  name  in  token  of  grateful 
remembrance.  The  records  of  the  Town  are  plainly 
written,  and  in  a  good  state  of  preservation. 

Expenditures  of  the  Town.  The  appropriations 
for  the  year  1746  were  as  follows,  viz.  For  Schools, 
$6,000  —  Alms  House,  including  repairs,  $1700  — 
Lunatic  Hospital,  $300  —  Assessors,  $250  —  Sexton 
$85  —  Treasurer  and  Collector,  $250  —  Fire  Depart- 
ment, $600  —  Discount  on  Taxes,  $400  —  Incidental 
Expenses,  $815  — in  all,  $13,000. 

Military.  The  improved  legislation  of  the  State 
has  judiciously  reduced  the  organization  of  the  mili- 
tia establishment  that  formerly  existed,  and  the 
Standish  Guards  —  a  company  organized  in  1820,  in 
honor  of  Myles  Standish — and  the  Plymouth  Artille- 
ry Company,  compose  all  the  defensive  preparation 
desirable  in  times  of  peace. 

Fire  Department.  The  fire  department  consists 
of  four  engines  ;  having  five  organized  companies, 
including  the  hook  and  ladder  company ;  the  whole 


298  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

amounting  to  120  men.  The  length,  of  hose  is  1,000 
feet,  to  which  an  addition  is  intended  the  present 
year.  The  water  by  which  the  engines  are  supplied 
is  obtained  from  reservoirs  placed  at  different  points 
of  the  town.  The  town  has  heretofore  wonderfully 
escaped  any  serious  conflagration ;  which  in  a  good 
degree  may  be  ascribed  to  the  careful  and  orderly 
habits  of  our  citizens.  The  fire  department  as  now 
organized,  has  shown  much  skill  and  energy,  on  sev- 
eral occasions  within  the  last  three  years,  when  the 
general  safety  of  the  town  seemed  in  great  danger. 

Banks.  These  are  three  in  number.  The  Plym- 
outh Bank,  incorporated  June  4th,  1804 ;  capital 
$100,000;  President,  Nathaniel  M.  Davis;  Cashier, 
I.  N.  Stoddard. 

Old  Colony  Bank,  incorporated  Feb.,  1832 ;  capital 
$100,000;  President,  John  B.  Thomas;  Cashier, 
Schuyler  Sampson. 

Plymouth  Institution  for  Savings;  Nathaniel  Rus- 
sell, President;  Allen  Danforth,  Treasurer. 

A  handsome  and  commodious  brick  building  was 
erected  a  few  years  since,  by  all  the  banks  in  con- 
junction; affording  them  perfectly  safe  and  conven- 
ient apartments  for  their  offices, 

The  Old  Colony  Insurance  Company,  having  a 
capital  of  $50,000,  is  kept  in  the  same  building ;  Ezra 
Finney,  President;  Allen  Danforth,  Secretary. 

Trees.  The  compact  settlement  of  the  central 
part  of  Plymouth,  has  left  but  little  room  for  the  cul- 
tivation of  ornamental  trees.      The  elms  in  Town 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  299 

square,  at  once  appropriate  and  ornamental,  were 
brought  from  Portsmouth  and  set  out  by  the  late 
Thomas  Davis,  Esq.,  in  the  year  1783.  The  linden 
trees,  so  beautiful  in  summer,  in  the  garden  and  in 
front  of  the  dwelling-house  now  occupied  by  Abraham 
Jackson,  Esq.,  in  North  street,  were  set  out  in  1760, 
by  the  late  George  Watson,  Esq.,  having  been 
brought  from  Nova  Scotia. 

Those  in  front  of  the  dwelling-house  owned  by  the 
heirs  of  the  late  Charles  Jackson,  Esq.,  were  set  out 
not  far  from  1760,  by  Miss  Penelope  Winslow,  whose 
father,  Edward  Winslow,  Esq.,  built  and  owned  the 
house,  and  afterwards  removed  to  the  British  Prov- 
inces. 

The  elms  at  the  residence  of  John  Russell,  Esq., 
were  set  out  by  the  late  Samuel  Jackson,  in  1790. 
Those  standing  in  the  front  yard  of  Nathaniel  M. 
Davis,  Esq  ,  were  set  out  in  1783,  by  the  late  William 
Watson,  Esq. ;  and  two  in  Court  Square,  by  the  late 
Capt.  James  Nickerson,  in  1792. 

Sunday  School.  This  valuable  auxiliary  to  the 
instructions  of  the  Pulpit,  is  now  connected  with  all 
the  Churches  in  town,  and  the  number  of  children 
receiving  the  benefit  of  their  teaching  is  probably 
more  than  900.  The  Sabbath  day  is  still  regarded 
with  veneration  by  our  citizens,  and  though  relieved 
fiom  something  of  the  gloom  connected  with  its  ob- 
servance in  former  times,  is  rarely  violated  in  a  man- 
ner, disturbing  the  church-going  habits  of  our  popu- 
lation. 


300  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

Temperance.  This  subject  excited  early  atten- 
tion, and  in  1816,  an  able  report  of  a  committee, 
appointed  by  the  town,  appears  on  the  records,  sug- 
gesting various  methods  to  check  the  progress  of 
intemperance.  Those  who  have  labored  in  this 
cause,  may  justly  rejoice  in  the  fruit  of  their  perse- 
vering efforts.  Many  have  been  redeemed  from  the 
dominion  of  the  most  inveterate  habits  of  intemper- 
ance, which  long  seemed  incorrigible,  and  now  re- 
joice with  joy  unspeakable,  in  the  renovation  of  a 
new  life. 

So  far  as  this  cause  depends  on  associated  action, 
it  is  under  the  direction  of  the  Sons  of  Temperance 
the  Washingtonian,  and  the  Martha  Washington 
Societies.  Six  years  ago,  spirituous  liquors  were 
publicly  sold  in  more  than  20  shops  in  this  town,  and 
at  the  present  time  not  in  one. 

Cemetery.  Oak  Grove  Cemetery  is  situated  to  the 
west  of  the  village  about  3-4  of  a  mile  from  the  Court 
House.  It  contains  16  acres;  possesses  much  natur- 
al beauty,  and  is  appropriately  laid  out  with  avenues 
and  walks.  The  corporation  was  organized  May  15, 
1841.  The  grove  was  consecrated  Sept.  12th,  with 
religious  services  and  address.  About  100  lots  have 
been  sold,  many  of  which  have  been  improved  and 
ornamented. 

I.  N.  Stoddard,  President ;  Gustavus  Gilbert,  Sec- 
retary ;  John  Perkins,  Treasurer. 

Old  Colony  Rail  Road.  The  completion  of 
this  great  enterprise,  and  the  opening  of  the  road, 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  301 

occurred  on  Saturday,  the  8th  of  November,  1845.  On 
this  occasion  the  citizens  of  Plymouth  provided  a  colla- 
tion in  Pilgrim  Hall,  which  was  served  to  a  company  of 
about  500  individuals,  from  Boston  and  other  parts  of 
the  State.  The  Hon.  Nathaniel  M.  Davis  presided 
over  the  highly  respectable  assembly,  and  the  festiv- 
ities of  the  short,  but  exciting  occasion,  passed  off  to 
the  great  satisfaction  of  all  concerned.  Addresses  of 
an  interesting  character,  connected  with  the  progress 
of  improvements  in  our  country,  were  made  by  the 
Hon.  John  Quincy  Adams,  Hon.  Daniel  Webster, 
and  other  gentlemen  present. 

This  road  has  been  well  patronized  by  the  public, 
particularly  during  the  past  summer,  and  while  it 
affords  a  convenience  to  the  traveler,  forms  a  safe 
investment  of  capital.  The  distances  from  Boston, 
on  the  road,  are  as  follows  —  Dorchester,  4  miles ; 
Neponset,  5  1-2;  Quincy,  8;  N.  Braintree,  10;  S. 
Braintree,  11;  S.  Weymouth,  15  ;  N.  Abington,  18; 
Abington,  19  1-4;  S.  Abington,  21  ;  N.  Hanson,  23 
1-4;  Hanson,  24  3-4;  Halifax,  28;  Plympton,  30; 
Kingston,  33  1-4 ;  Plymouth,  37  1-2  miles. 

The  cars  are  constructed  on  the  most  approved 
model  and  under  the  care  of  obliging  and  vigilant 
conductors  it  is  gratifying  to  remark,  that  no  serious 
accidents  have  occurred  which  may  justly  be  ascrib- 
ed to  any  deficiency  on  their  part,  or  that  of  the  pro- 
prietors of  the  road. 

Hotels.     The  Samoset  Hotel,  erected  by  the  Rail 
Road  proprietors,  occupies  a  most  favorable  situation 
23 


302  GUIDE    TO    PLYMOUTH,    AND 

at  the  end  of  Court  street,  directly  opposite  the 
depot.  It  commands  a  fine  view  of  the  harbor,  bay, 
and  surrounding  highlands.  In  the  rear,  at  a  short 
distance,  it  has  the  attractions  of  hill  and  woodland* 
scenery,  affording  agreeable  and  convenient  walks. 
It  is  50  by  80  feet,  constructed  in  a  handsome  style 
of  architecture,  and  of  perfect  finish  in  every  part. 
The  sleeping  apartments  are  pleasantly  situated,  and 
well  contrived  and  furnished  in  every  respect,  to 
promote  the  comfort  of  visitors. 

The  construction  of  the  hotel  is  such,  that  the 
means  of  cold,  warm,  and  shower  baths,  are  at  any 
time  afforded,  when  required.  The  advantage  of  sea 
bathing  close  at  hand,  is  another  attraction  in  sum- 
mer, which  many  from  the  metropolis  have  perceived 
and  enjoyed  during  the  last  season. 

Mr.  Joseph  Stetson  has  the  charge  of  this  estab- 
lishment, whose  long  experience  and  obliging  deport- 
ment, eminently  fit  him  to  promote  the  comfort  of  the 
traveler. 

This  establishment  has  been  well  pratronized  by 
the  traveling  community  from  nearly  every  part  of 
the  Union,  during  the  past  summer,  and  we  learn 
that  in  all  the  varied  requisites,  which  constitute  the 
comfort  of  visitors,  it  is  unsurpassed  by  any  other  in 
the  country. 

Newspapers.  '  The  Plymouth  Journal,'  edited 
and  printed  by  N.  Coverly,  was  commenced  in  March, 
1785,  and  continued  till  June,  1786.  It  was  pub- 
lished too  near   the  metropolis,   to  find    sufficient 


RECOLLECTIONS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  303 

encouragement  to  justify  its  continuance,  particularly 
at  that  period  of  individual  embarrassments.  The 
Old  Colony  arms,  four  men  kneeling,  implumed 
hearts  in  their  hands,  on  a  field  quarterly,  was  its 
head  ornament ;  legend,  Plymouth,  Novanglia,  sigil 
lum  societatis,  1620.  The  motto  (selected  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Robbins,)  was,  Patrum  pietate  ortum  filioram 
virt-ute  servandum. 

The  Old  Colony  Memorial  was  commenced  in 
1821,  and  has  been  well  sustained  by  our  community. 
The  Plymouth  Rock,  another  newspaper,  was  estab- 
lished about  eight  years  ago. 

Indian  Names.  The  sources  of  information  re- 
specting the  signification  of  Indian  names,  are  quite 
limited.  Those  in  relation  to  the  Colony  are  mostly 
derived  from  the  investigations  of  the  late  Samuel 
Davis,  Esq.  Accomac,  Plymouth,  or  Accaumuck, 
signifies  to  go  by  water,  and  is  applied  to  places 
where  it  is  more  convenient  to  go  by  water  than 
land.  Cantaugeanteest,  Watson's  Hill.  Patackosi,  the 
name  of  Town  Brook,  from  Tackosi,  *  short,  narrow.' 
Coatuit,  the  name  of  half  way  pond.  Agawam, 
a  part  of  "Wareham.  Kitaumet,  Manomet  Ponds. 
Cummaquid,  Barnstable.  Paumit,  or  Pamet,  part  of 
Truro.  Mattakeese  or  Mattachiest,  Yarmouth.  Mat- 
takeset,  Duxbury.  JYauset,  Eastham.  Namasket,  Mid- 
dleborongh.  Monamoy,  Chatham.  Capaiuack,  Mar- 
tha's Vineyard.  Manamooskegin,  Abington.  Shaume, 
Sandwich.     Satuit.  Scituate. 


EXPLANATION  OF  THE  ENGRAVINGS. 


The  engravings  contained  in  this  work  have  all  been  executed 
on  copper.  The  view  of  Plymouth  was  taken  on  an  elevation,  south 
of  Wellingsly  brook  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from  town,  on  a 
scale  corresponding  with  the  size  of  the  book,  and  embraces  the 
beach,  harbor,  Captain's  hill,  &c. 

The  Allyne  house  was  taken  from  the  life  of  James  Otis,  by 
William  Tudor,  Esq.  This  house,  as  remarked  by  Mr.  Tudor, 
shows  the  style  of  building  of  respectable  families  in  the  latter  part 
of  the  seventeenth  century.  It  was  taken  down  in  1826,  and  the 
Universalist  church  in  Leyden  Street  now  occupies  the  spot  on 
which  it  stood.  It  was  occupied  by  Robert  Hicks,  merchant,  in 
1645.  It  was  afterwards  owned  by  Edward  Gray,  who  sold  it  to 
John  Rickard  in  1677,  and  was  owned  by  Rickard  till  1750,  when  it 
became  the  property  of  the  Lothrop  family,  since  which  time  it  has 
always  been  called  the  Lothrop  House  —  and  was  considered  the 
oldest  in  town. 

In  this  house  the  mother  of  James  Otis  was  born.  Erom  the 
Plymouth  records  it  appears,  'that  in  1699  Mr.  Joseph  Allyn,  who 
afterwards  moved  to  Connecticut,  married  Mary  Doten,  daughter  of 
Edward,  and  grand -daughter  of  Edward  Doten,  who  came  in  the 
Mayflower.  Their  children  born  in  this  house,  were  Elizabeth  in 
1700,  Mary  in  1702,  the  latter  of  whom  was  the  mother  of  James 
Otis  and  a  very  superior  woman.  Mr.  Otis  lived  in  Plymouth  in 
1748  and  1749,  and  his  name  appears  on  the  Court  Records  as  '  of 
Plymouth.'  His  office  was  in  the  Main  street,  the  north  part  of  the 
house  now  occupied  by  Mrs.  Grace  H.  Goddard. 


EXPLANATION  OF  THE  ENGRAVINGS.  305 

The  Fuller  Cradle,  of  which  the  engraving  is  a  perfect  copy, 
according  to  well  authenticated  tradition  came  in  the  Mayflower,  and 
is  now  in  possession  of  Jacob  Noyes,  Esq.  of  Abington,  whose 
wife,  Mrs.  Olive  Noyes,  was  the  daughter  of  Reliance  Fuller,  the 
daughter  of  Isaac  Fuller,  the  son  of  Dr.  Isaac  Fuller  of  Middlebo- 
rough,  who  was  son  to  Samuel  Fuller,  the  first  minister  of  that  place 
and  the  son  of  Dr.  Samuel  Fuller  who  arrived  in  the  Mayflower. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  mutual  accommodation  afforded  on  board 
the  Mayflower,  the  tradition  in  connection  with  the  cradle  still 
exists  in  the  Fuller  family,  that  Peregrine  White  received  the  benefit 
of  its  spacious  accommodations. 

The  Apple  Tree,  accurately  represented  in  the  engraving,  was 
planted  by  Peregrine  White,  the  first  Englishman  born  in  New 
England,  about  the  year  1648,  when  he  was  28  years  of  age.  Dr. 
Holmes  in  his  annals,  when  noticing  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1704,  in  the  84th  year  of  his  age,  observes,  that  'ninety  years  after- 
wards a  gentleman  sent  several  large  apples  to  Pres.  Styles,  from  an 
orchard  planted  by  Peregrine  White.  Thirty  years  still  later, 
(1824,)  Mrs.  Hay  ward,  (wife  of  Dr.  Hay  ward,)  [a  descendant  of 
Peregrine  White,  sent  me  a  fair  apple  from  a  tree  planted  by  her 
ancestor.'  The  writer  received  a  few  weeks  since,  several  apples 
from  the  same  tree.  It  measures  17  feet  in  height,  and  the  old  trunk 
now  mostly  decayed  is  six  feet  in  length,  having  a  circumference  of 
four  and  a  half  feet. 

The  fac-similes  of  the  autographs  of  the  Pilgrims,  have  been 
obtained  expressly  for  this  work,  after  much  labor  among  ancient 
deeds  and  other  documents.  Their  names  are  as  follows :  Gov. 
William  Bradford,  Gov.  Edward  Winslow,  Gov.  Thomas  Prince, 
Capt.  Myles  Standish,  William  Brewster,  Isaac  Allerton,  Nathaniel 
Morton,  John  Bradford,  son  of  Gov.  Bradford  by  his  first  wife> 
Dorothy  May,  John  Winslow,  brother  of  Gov.  Edward  Winslow, 
Thomas  Cushman,  (Elder,)  son  of  Robert  Cushman,  Constant  and 
Thomas  Southworth,  the  sons  of  Alice  Southworth,  the  second 
wife  of  Gov.  Bradford.  The  autographs  of  John  Alden,  John 
Howland,  Francis  Eaton,  and  Phineas  Pratt  have  been  obtained, 
but  not  in  season  for  this  work.    Persons  having  in  their  possession 

23* 


306  EXPLANATION  OP  THE  ENGRAVINGS. 

ancient  deeds  or  other  documents  which  contain  the  original  signa- 
tures of  any  who  came  to  Plymouth  in  either  of  the  three  first 
ships,  namely,  the  Mayflower,  Fortune,  or  Ann,  will  confer  a  favor 
by  forwarding  them  to  the  writer,  by  mail  or  otherwise,  which  will 
be  returned  to  the  owners  or  deposited  in  the  Cabinet  of  the  Pil- 
grim Society,  agreeably  to  their  wishes. 

Plymouth,  October,  1846. 


AIRS  OE   THE  PILGRIMS, 


PREFACE. 


The  following  collection  of  Hymns  and  Songs,  selected  from  the 
productions  of  our  best  authors,  were  mostly  composed  with  express 
reference  to  the  anniversary  celebrations  in  this  town  and  in  other 
parts  of  the  United  States.  Several  of  these  have  never  before 
been  published,  others  have  had  quite  a  limited  circulation,  and 
some  of  the  more  ancient  of  them  seemed  in  danger  of  actual 
oblivion,  copies  of  which  were  obtained,  not  without  considerable 
difficulty,  by  the  aid  of  obliging  friends  and  correspondents. 

The  music  to  which  they  were  originally  sung  has  been  retained, 
so  far  as  it  was  known,  and  appropriate  tunes  have  been  obligingly 
annexed,  by  B.  Brown,  Esq.  to  such  as  had  none  previously 
designated. 

The  order  of  time  in  which  the  different  pieces  were  composed 
has  been  generally  preserved,  so  far  as  was  practicable,  and  the 
collection  might  have  been  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  many  valua- 
ble compositions,  necessarily  excluded  by  the  narrow  limits  pre- 
scribed to  the  present  work. 

The  highly  valuable  religious  and  moral  influences  produced  on 
the  human  mind,  through  the  combined  instrumentality  of  music 
and  poetry,  are  universally  acknowledged,  and  the  compilation  is 
presented  to  the  public  with  an  earnest  desire  to  promote  these  great 
objects,  and  at  the  same  time  to  afford  a  variety  of  appropriate 
compositions,  adapted  to  use,  whenever  the  descendants  of  the 
Pilgrims  may  assemble,  to  jjonor  the  memory  of  their  Fathers. 

W.  S.  E. 

Plymouth,  November,  1846. 


TABLE   OF   CONTENTS. 


Page. 

Our  Forefather's  Song,    ....  Anonymous, 1 

'A  Word  to  Boston,' Governour  Wm.  Bradford,      3 

Of  Boston  in  New  England,  .  .  Governour  Wm.  Bradford,  4 
A  Word  to  New  England,  .  .  Governour  Wm.  Bradford,  5 
Poetical  Description  of  Trees  in  New  England  in  1639,  6 
Various  Kinds  of  Fish  in  New  England  in  1639,     ...      7 

Kinds  of  Shell  Fish, 7 

A  Poetical  Description  of  Birds, 8 

A  Poetical  Description  of  Beasts, 9 

Whaling  Song, John  Osborne,  .....      9 

The  Liberty  Song, John  Dickinson,      ....  12 

Song, Alexander  Scammel, ...     15 

New  England  Hymn,  (Music  annexed,) 

Rev.  Dr.  Marther  Byles,     .  16 
Ode  for  the  22d  of  December,    .     Hon.  John  Davis,    ...    20 

Hymn  for  the  22d  of  Dec,  1799,   Anonymous^       22 

Hymn  for  the  22d  of  December,    John  Quincy  Adams,    .    .    23 

Hymn, Rev.  Dr.  Holmes,  ....  25 

Song, Thomas  Greene  Fessenden,     26 

The  Sainted  Sires,      A  Member  of  the  N.  E.  Society  of  New  York,  27 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Original  Song, Joseph  Warren  Brackett,    .     29 

Original  Song, Peter  Hawes,  Esq.,     ...  31 

New  England  Song,  (Music  annexed,) 

Samuel  F.  Brown,  Esq.,  .     36 

A  Rock  in  the  Wilderness,    .    .    Anonymous, 38 

Ode, Samuel  Davis,  Esq.,     .    .     39 

Two  Hundred  Years  Ago,  (Music  annexed  by  B.  Brown,  Esq.,) 

Rev.  James  Flint,  ....  40 
Ode  for  Dec.  22d,  1824,  ....  Rev.  J.  Pierpont,  ...  45 
Hymn  for  Dec.  22d,  1824,     .     .    .  Rev.  William  P.  Lunt,  .     .  47 

Lines, Washington  Alston,     .     .    49 

Hymn, Wm.  C.  Bryant,  ....  50 

The  Landing  of  the  Pilgrim  Sires,  Mrs.  Hemans,      ....     50 

New  England, J.   G.  Percival, 52 

Remembrance  of  the  Pilgrims, 

A  Member  of  the  N.  E.  Society,  N.  Y.,     54 

Clark's  Island, Rev.  Hersey  B.  Goodwin,     .  55 

Ode,  sung  at  the  Celebration  in  N.  York  by  the  N.  E.  Society, 

Rufus  Dawes,      ....     56 

Ode, Grenville  Mellen,  Esq.    .     .  58 

The  Pilgrims, Mrs.  Sigourney,  ....     61 

The  Pilgrim  Fathers, Charles  Sprague,  ....  63 

Song  of  the  Pilgrims,     ....     T.  C.  Upham,      ....    66 

Original  Hymn, Rev.  S.  Deane, 67 

When  this  Old  Chair  was  new,    Anonymous, 68 

The  Pilgrim's  Vision,    ....     Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  .    .  70 
Ode, Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Gilman, .  74 


AIRS  OF  THE  PILGRIMS. 


OUR  FOREFATHERS'   SONG* 

THE  HARDSHIPS  AND  FARE  OF  THE  FIRST  PLANTERS  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

Repeated  by  an  old  lady,  aged  94  years,  in  1767. 

New  England's  annoyances  you  that  would  know  them, 
Pray  ponder  these  verses,  which  briefly  do  show  them. 

The  place  where  we  live,  is  a  wilderness  wood, 
Where  grass  is  much  wanted  that 's  fruitful  and  good; 
Our  mountains  and  hills,  and  our  valleys  below, 
Are  commonly  covered  with  frost  and  with  snow; 

And  when  the  north-west  wind  with  violence  blows, 
Then  every  man  pulls  his  cap  over  his  nose. 
But  if  any 's  so  hardy,  and  will  it  withstand, 
He  forfeits  a  finger,  a  foot,  or  a  hand. 

Whene'er  the  spring  opens,  we  then  take  the  hoe, 
And  make  the  ground  ready  to  plant  and  to  sow, 
Our  corn  being  planted,  and  seed  being  sown, 
The  worms  then  destroy  much  before  it  is  grown. 

*  A  musical  friend  informs  us  that  these  popular  lines  would  find  appropriate  music  in 
the  old  tune  of  Derry  Down. 

1 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

And  when  it  is  growing,  some  spoil  there  is  made, 
By  birds  and  by  squirrels  who  pluck  up  the  blade  ; 
Even  when  it  is  grown  to  full  corn  in  the  ear, 
It  is  often  destroyed  by  raccoon  and  deer. 

And  now,  too,  our  garments  begin  to  grow  thin, 
And  wool  is  much  wanted  to  card  and  to  spin ; 
If  we  can  get  garments  to  cover  without, 
Our  other  in-garments  are  *  clout  upon  clout. 

Our  clothes  we  brought  with  us,  are  apt  to  be  torn, 
They  need  to  be  clouted  soon  after  they  are  worn  ; 
But  clouting  our  garments  they  hinder  us  nothing, 
Clouts  double  are  warmer  than  single  whole  clothing. 

If  fresh  meat  be  wanting  to  fill  up  our  dish, 
"We  have  carrots  and  turnips  whenever  we  wish, 
And  if  we've  a  mind  for  a  delicate  dish, 
We  go  to  the  clam  bank,  and  there  we  catch  fish. 

For  pottage,  and  puddings,  and  custards,  and  pies, 
Our  pumpkins,  and  parsnips,  are  common  supplies  ; 
"We  have  pumpkin  at  morning,  and  pumpkin  at  noon, 
If  it  was  not  for  pumpkin  we  should  be  undoon.f 

If  barley  be  wanting  to  make  into  malt, 
"We  must  be  contented  and  think  it  no  fault ; 
For  we  can  make  liquor  to  sweeten  our  lips, 
Of  pumpkins,  and  parsnips,  and  walnut-tree  chips. 

Now,  while  some  are  going,  let  others  be  coming, 
While  liquor  is  boiling  it  must  have  a  scumming; 
But  I  will  not  blame  them,  for  birds  of  a  feather, 
By  seeking  their  fellows,  are  flocking  together. 

Then  you,  whom  the  Lord  intends  hither  to  bring, 
Forsake  not  the  honey  for  fear  of  the  sting ; 
But  bring  both  a  quiet  and  well  ordered  mind, 
And  all  needful  blessings  you  surely  will  find. 
*  Clout  signifies  patching.  t  As  they  then  pronounced  undone. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


The  following  letter  directed  to  the  late  Ephraim  Spooner,  Esq.  explains  the  history  of 

the  above  sons: 

Cambridge,  Dec.  15th,  1817. 
Dear  and  very  respected  Sir, 

I  here  send  you  a  curiosity,  which  I  hope  and  believe  will  gratify  your  friends  and  towns- 
men at  their  approaching  Anniversary  of  the  landing  of  our  Forefathers.  It  is  a  poetical 
description  of  the  hard  fare  of  our  Progenitors  soon  after  they  landed  on  your  renowned 
shore.  Who  the  author  was  I  know  not ;  nor  do  I  when  it  was  written ;  neither  have  I  been 
informed  who  the  old  lady  was  who  repeated  these  verses  in  1767,  when  94  years  of  age.  To 
me  it  is  probable  that  they  were  taken  down  from  her  mouth,  like  the  ancient  poems  of 
Ossian,  in  Scotland.  This  paper  was~given  to  me  by  the  late  Madame  Bowdoin,  the  worthy 
wife  of  my  excellent  and  intimate  friend  Gov.  Bowdoin.  I  send  them  to  you  as  a  pleasant  relic, 
not  merely  because  I  regard  you  as  the  Father  of  the  town  where  you  reside,  but  as  a  mfirk 
of  that  respectful  and  steady  friendship,  so  long  existing  between  you  and  your  kinsman. 

Benjamin  Wateriiouse. 

Note.  In  the  eighth  volume  of  the  Mass.  Hist.  Society,  page  twenty-nine,  2d  Series, 
published  in  1838,  the  Forefathers'  Song  may  be  found,  with  slight  variations  from  the 
above  copy.  In  order  to  adapt  it  to  music,  a  very  few  verbal  alterations  have  been  made, 
without,  however,  impairing  its  sense  or  force.  The  original,  forwarded  by  Dr.  Water- 
house,  as  mentioned  in  his  letter,  varies  as  much  from  that  published  by  the  Historical  Soci- 
ety, as  ours  does  from  either.  It  was  published  originally  in  stanzas  of  eight  lines,  which 
have  been  separated  into  those  of  four  lines,  for  the  greater  convenience  of  singing.  We 
copy  the  following  remarks,  which  accompanied  the  song  as  published  by  the  Massachusetts 
Historical  Society,  viz.  ('  Composed  about  the  year  1630,  author  unknown,  taken  memori- 
ter,  in  1785,  from  the  lips  of  an  old  lady,  at  the  advanced  period  of  96.  There  is  visibly  a 
break  in  tJie  sense,  commencing  at  the  5th  line  of  the  5th  verse:  and, through  the  failure  of 
memory,  four  lines  have  been  lost,  at  the  latter  part  of  the  5th  stanza.')  There  being  some 
variation  between  the  statement  of  facts  respecting  this  song  as  contained  in  the  Mass.  Hist. 
Collections,  and  that  of  Dr.  Waterhouse  in  his  letter,  both  as  to  the  age  of  the  old  lady,  and 
the  time  when  she  repeated  it  from  memory,  the  latter  authority  seems  to  have  the  preference. 


-o- 


<A    WORD    TO    BOSTON.' 

BY   GOVERNOUB   WILLIAM   BRADFORD. 

In  the  third  volume  of  the  Collections,  first  series,  was  published,  a '  descriptive  and  his- 
torical account  of  New  England,  in  verse,'  by  Gov.  Bradford,  of  which  Dr.  Belknap 
remarks,  'if  it  be  not  graced  with  the  charms  of  poetry,  yet  it  is  a  just  and  affecting 
narrative,  intermixed  with  pious  and  useful  reflections.  Of  a  like  strain  are  the  lines  that 
follow,  and  as,  from  the  reference  to  them  in  the  Governor's  will,  of  which  we  subjoin  an 
extract,  they  were  by  him  commended  to  preservation,  we  rescue  them  from  the  original 
manuscript,  where  for  more  than  one  hundred  and  sixty  years  they  have  remained  in 
obscurity. 

'I  commend  unto  your  wisdom  and  discretion,  some  small  books  written  by  my  own 
hand,  to  be  improved  as  you  shall  see  meet.  In  special  I  commend  to  you  a  little  booke,  with 
a  black  cover,  wherein  there  is  a  word  to  Plymouth,  a  word  to  Boston,  and  a  word  to  New 
England;  with  sundry  useful  verses.'  'The  will  was  witnessed  by  Thomas  Cushman, 
Thomas  Southworth,  and  Nathaniel  Morton.' 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


OF   BOSTON    IN    NEW    ENGLAND. 

0,  Boston,  though  thou  now  art  grown, 
To  be  a  great  and  wealthy  town, 
Yet  I  have  seen  the  a  void  place, 
Shrubs  and  bushes  covering  thy  face ; 
And  house  then  in  thee  none  were  there, 
Nor  such  as  gold  and  silk  did  weare; 
No  drunkeness  were  then  in  thee, 
Nor  such  excess  as  now  we  see. 
We  then  drunk  freely  of  thy  spring, 
Without  paying  of  any  thing ; 
We  lodged  freely  where  we  would, 
All  things  were  free  and  nothing  sold ; 
And  they  that  did  thee  first  begin, 
Had  hearts  as  free  and  as  willing 
Their  poor  friends  for  to  entertaine, 
And  never  looked  at  sordid  gain. 
Some  thou  hast  had  whom  I  did  know, 
That  spent  theirselves  to  make  the  grow, 
And  thy  foundations  they  did  lay, 
Which  doe  remain  unto  this  day 
When  thou  wast  weak  they  did  thee  nurse, 
Or  else  with  thee  it  had  been  worse  ; 
They  left  thee  not,  but  did  defend, 
And  succor  thee  unto  their  end. 

Thou  now  hast  growne  in  wealth  and  store, 
Doe  not  forget  that  thou  wast  poore, 
And  lift  not  up  thyself  in  pride, 
From  truth  and  justice  turn  not  aside, 
Remember  thou  a  Cotton  had, 
Which  made  the  hearts  of  many  glad  ; 
What  he  thee  taught  bear  thou  in  minde, 
It's  hard  another  such  to  finde. 
A  Winthrop  once  in  the  was  knowne, 
Who  unto  thee  was  as  a  crowne. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  O 

Such  ornaments  are  very  rare, 
Yet  thou  enjoyed  this  blessed  pair. 
But  these  are  gone,  their  work  is  done, 
Their  day  is  past,  set  is  their  sun  : 
Yet  faithful  Wilson  still  remains, 
And  learned  Norton  doth  take  pains : 

Live  ye  in  peace.     I  could  say  more. 
Oppress  ye  not  the  weake  and  poore. 
The  trade  is  all  in  your  own  hand, 
Take  heed  ye  doe  not  wrong  the  land, 
Lest  He  that  hath  lift  you  on  high, 
When,  as  the  poore  to  him  doe  cry, 
Doe  throw  you  downe  from  your  high  state, 
And  make  you  low  and  desolate. 

Note.  The  Words  to  Plymouth,  Boston,  and  New  England,  were  probably  written  a 
short  time  previous  to  Gov.  Bradford's  decease,  as  allusion  is  made  in  them  to  Gov.  Win- 
throp,  who  died  March  26th,  1G49,  and  Cotton,  who  died  Dec.  23d,  1652. 

A  WORD  TO  NEW  ENGLAND. 

O  New  England,  thou  canst  not  boast; 
Thy  former  glory  thou  hast  lost. 
When  Hooker,  Winthrop,  Cotton  died, 
And  many  precious  ones  beside, 
Thy  beauty  then  it  did  decay, 
And  still  doth  languish  more  away; 
Love,  truth,  good-men,  mercy  and  grace, 
And  wealth  and  the  world  take  their  place. 
Thy  open  sins  none  can  them  hide 
Fraud,  drunkeness,  whoredom  and  pride. 
The  great  oppressors  slay  the  poore, 
But  whimsie  errors  they  kill  more. 
Yet  some  thou  hast  who  mourne  and  weep, 
And  their  garments  they  unspotted  keep ; 
1* 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Who  seek  God's  honour  to  maintaine, 
That  true  Religion  may  remaine. 
These  doe  invite  and  sweetly  call, 
Each  to  other,  and  say  to  all, 
Repent,  amend,  and  turn  to  God, 
That  we  may  prevent  his  sharp  rod. 
Time  yet  thou  hast,  improve  it  well 
That  God's  presence  may  with  you  dwell. 


THE   FOLLOWING   IS    A    POETICAL    DESCRIPTION    OF 

THE  TREES  IN  NEW  ENGLAND, 

WRITTEN   IN   1639. 

Trees,  both  in  hills  and  plains,  in  plenty  be, 

The  long-liv'd  Oak,  and  mournful  Cyprus  tree ; 

Sky-towering  Pines,  and  Chestnuts  coated  rough, 

The  lasting  Cedar,  with  the  Walnut  tough; 

The  rosin  dropping  Fir  for  masts  in  use, 

The  boatmen  seek  for  oars,  light,  neat  grown  Spruce ; 

The  brittle  Ash,  the  ever  trembling  Asps, 

The  broad  spread  Elm,  whose  concave  harbours  wasps; 

The  water-spungy  Alder,  good  for  nought, 

Small  Eldern,  by  the  Indian  fletchers  sought; 

The  knotty  Maple,  palled  Birch,  Hawthorns, 

The  horn-bound  tree  that  to  be  cloven  scorns, 

Which  from  the  tender  vine  oft  takes  his  spouse, 

Who  twines  embracing  arms  about  his  boughs. 

Within  this  Indian  orchard  fruits  be  some, 

The  ruddy  Cherry,  and  the  jetty  Plum; 

Snake  murthering  Hazel,  with  sweet  Saxaphrage, 

Whose  spurs  in  beer  allays  hot  fevers  rage ; 

The  dear  Shumach,  with  more  trees  there  be 

That  are  both  good  to  use,  and  rare  to  see. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


THE  VARIOUS  KINDS  OF  FISH 

TO    BE    FOUND    ON    THE    COAST   OF    NEW    ENGLAND, 
POETICALLY  DESCRIBED   IN  1639. 

The  king  of  waters,  the  sea  shouldering  Whale, 
The  snuffing  Grampus,  with  the  oily  Seal ; 
The  storm  presaging  Porpus,  Herring-Hog, 
Line  shearing  Shark,  the  Catfish  and  Sea  Dog, 
The  scale-fenced  Sturgeon,  wry-mouthed  Hallibut, 
The  flouncing  Salmon,  Codfish,  Greedigut; 
Cole,  Haddick,  Hake,  the  Thornback  and  the  Skate, 
Whose  slimy  outside  makes  him  seld'  in  date; 
The  stately  Bass,  old  Neptune's  fleeting  post, 
That  tides  it  out  and  in  from  sea  to  coast; 
Consorting  Herrings  and  the  bony  Shad, 
Big  bellied  Alewives,  Mackerels  richly  clad, 
With  rainbow  colour,  the  Frostfish  and  the  Smelt, 
As  good  as  lady  Gustus  ever  felt ; 
The  spotted  Lamprons,  Eels,  the  Lamperies, 
That  seek  fresh-water  brooks  with  Argus  eyes ; 
These  watery  villagers,  with  thousands  more, 
Do  pass  and  repass  the  verdant  shore. 


KINDS   OF   SHELL-FISH. 

The  luscious  Lobster,  with  the  Crab-fish  raw, 
The  brinish  Oyster,  Muscle,  Perriwig, 
And  Tortoise  sought  by  the  Indian's  squaw, 
Which  to  the  flats  dance  many  a  winter's  jig, 
To  dive  for  Cockles,  and  to  dig  for  clams, 
Whereby  her  lazy  husband's  sides  she  crams. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

A  POETICAL  DESCRIPTION   OF  BIRDS. 

WRITTEN  IX  1639. 

The  princely  Eagle  and  the  soaring  Hawk, 

Whom  in  their  unknown  ways  there's  none  can  chalk; 

The  Humbird,  for  some  Queens  rich  cage  more  fit, 

Than  in  the  vacant  wilderness  to  sit; 

The  swift  wing'd  Swallow  sweeping  to  and  fro, 

As  swift  as  arrow  from  Tartarian  bow ; 

When  as  Aurora's  infant  day  new  springs, 

There  th'  morn  mounting  Lark  her  sweet  lays  sings ; 

The  harmonious  Trush,  swift  Pigeon,  Turtle  Dove, 

Who  to  her  mate  does  ever  constant  prove; 

The  Turkey-Pheasant,  Heathcock,  Partridge  rare, 

The  carrion  tearing  Crow,  and  hurtful  Stare; 

The  long  liv'd  Raven,  th'  ominous  Screech-Owl, 

Who  tells,  as  old  wives  say,  disasters  foul ; 

The  drowsy  Madge,  that  leaves  her  day-loved  nest, 

And  loves  to  rove  when  day-birds  be  at  rest, 

The  eel-murthering  Hearne,  and  greedy  Cormorant, 

That  near  the  creeks  in  morish  marshes  haunt ; 

The  bellowing  Bitterne,  with  the  long-leged  Crane; 

Presaging  winters  hard,  and  dearth  of  grain; 

The  silver  Swan  that  tunes  her  mournful  breath, 

To  sing  the  dirge  of  her  approaching  death; 

The  tattling  Oldwives,  and  the  cackling  Geese, 

The  fearful  Gull  that  shuns  the  murthering  piece, 

The  strong-winged  Mallard,  with  the  nimble  Teal, 

And  ill-shaped  Loon,  who  his  harsh  notes  doth  squeal; 

There  Widgins,  Sheldrakes,  and  Humilitees, 

Snipes,  Dippers,  Sea  Larks,  in  whole  millions  flee. 


AIRS    OF   THE    PILGRIMS. 


A  DESCRIPTION  OF  BEASTS  IN  NEW  ENGLAND. 

WRITTEN  IN  1639. 

The  kingly  Lion,  and  the  strong-armed  Bear, 
The  large  limb'd  Mooses,  with  the  tripping  Deer; 
Quill-darting  Porcupines,  and  Raccoons  be, 
Castel'd  in  the  hollow  of  an  aged  tree  ; 
The  skipping  Squirrel,  Rabbit,  purblind  Hare, 
Immured  in  the  self  same  castle  are, 
Lest  red-eyed  Ferret,  wily  Foxes  should 
Them  undermine,  if  rampir'd  but  with  mould  ; 
The  grim-faced  Ounce,  and  ravenous  howling  Woolf, 
Whose  meagre  maw  sucks  like  a  swallowing  gulf; 
Black  glistering  Otters,  and  rich  coated  Beaver, 
The  Civet  scented  Musquash  smelling  ever. 


WHALING   SONG. 

BT  JOHN  OSBORNE  OF  SANDWICH,  BAENSTABLE  COUNTY.* 

Tune,  Old  Lang  Syne. 

When  Spring  returns  with  western  gales, 

And  gentle  breezes  sweep 
The  ruffling  seas,  we  spread  our  sails 

To  plow  the  wat'ry  deep. 

*  John  Osborne  was  born  1713,  in  Sandwich,  Barnstable  County,  and  was  graduated  at 
Harvard  University,  1735.  After  leaving  college,  he  spent  some  time  at  his  father's  house  in 
Eastham,  where  he  paid  some  attention  to  divinity.  He  afterwards  became  a  physician,  and 
removed  to  Middletown,  Connecticut.  He  married  about  this  time.  In  the  year  1753,  he 
•wrote  to  his  sister  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Ephraim  Morton,  then  living  in  Plymouth,  in  which  he 
says, '  We  have  six  children ;  the  eldest  fourteen  years  old  last  November,  the  youngest, 
two  years  last  January ;  the  eldest  a  danghter,  the  next  a  son,  and  so  on  to  the  end  of  the 
chapter.'  He  died  May  31, 1753,  aged  40.  His  father,  Rev.  Samuel  Osborne,  was  a  native  of 
Ireland  and  a  graduate  of  Dublin  University.  He  was  settled  at  Eastham,  Sept.  18, 1718,  and 
was  dismissed  in  1738,  on  account  of  some  difference  with  his  church  respecting  theological 


10  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

For  killing  northern  whales  prepared, 

Our  nimble  boats  on  board, 
With  craft  and  rum,  (our  chief  regard)  * 

And  good  provision  stord. 

Cape- Cod,  our  dearest  native  land 

We  leave  astern,  and  lose 
Its  sinking  cliffs  and  lessning  sands, 

While  zephyr  gently  blows. 

Bold,  hardy  men,  with  blooming  age, 

Our  sandy  shores  produce ; 
With  monstrous  fish  they  dare  engage, 

And  dangerous  callings  choose. 

Now  towards  the  early  dawning  east, 

We  speed  our  course  away, 
With  eager  minds,  and  joyful  hearts, 

To  meet  the  rising  day. 

Then  as  we  turn  our  wond'ring  eyes, 

We  view  one  constant  show; 
Above,  around,  the  circling  skies; 

The  rolling  seas  blow. 

points,  and  afterwards  removed  to  Boston,  where  he  opened  a  private  grammar  school, 
which  he  continued  for  several  years,  and  died,  aged  about  90. 

See  Eliot's  and  Allen's  Biographical  Dictionaries,  and  Pratt's  History  of  Eastham. 

In  a  biographical  sketch  of  the  author,  by  Judge  Davis,  published  in  the  Columbian  Cen- 
tinel,  Boston,  March  21st,  1787,  the  Whaling  Song  is  thus  noticed:  'He  certainly  possessed 
a  fine  poetical  genius,  which  appears  from  his  Whaling  Song,  which  has  been  highly  cel- 
ebrated, and  which  no  whaleman  ever  sings  or  speaks  of  without  rapture.  He  also  wrote  a 
pathetic  elgiack  epistle,  addressed  to  one  sister  on  the  death  of  another.' 

*  The  expressions  included  in  parentheses  may,  at  first  sight,  excite  surprise  in  the  minds 
of  many  in  this  day  of  Temperance  reform ;  but  when  we  consider  the  age  in  which  the  song 
was  written,  and  that  the  author,  in  rather  a  jocose  vein,  intended  to  represent  a  common 
practice  then  prevailing  in  the  community,  we  need  not  infer  that  he  meant  to  celebrate  as 
a  subject  of  praise,  what  is  now  so  generally  and  justly  condemned.  From  recent  informa- 
tion, we  are  assured,  that  many  ships  in  Nantucket  and  New  Bedford  commence  and  pursue 
their  long  and  arduous  voyages,  without  the  use  of  spirituous  liquors  in  any  form,  which 
were  once  considered  an  indispensable  item  of  outfit,  and  which  so  often  proved  the  source 
of  injury  and  disaster  to  all  concerned  in  maritime  pursuits. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

When  eastward,  clear  of  Newfoundland, 

We  stem  the  frozen  pole, 
We  see  the  icy  islands  stand, 

The  northern  billows  roll. 

As  to  the  north  we  make  our  way, 

Surprising  scenes  we  find ; 
We  lengthen  out  the  tedious  day, 

And  leave  the  night  behind. 

Now  see  the  northern  regions,  where 

Eternal  winter  reigns ; 
One  day  and  night  fills  up  the  year, 

And  endless  cold  maintains. 

We  view  the  monsters  of  the  deep, 
Great  whales  in  num'rous  swarms ; 

And  creatures  there,  that  play  and  leap, 
Of  strange  unusual  forms. 

When  we  our  wonted  station  gain, 
And  whales  around  us  play; 

We  launch  our  boats  into  the  main, 
And  swiftly  chace  our  prey. 

In  haste  we  ply  our  nimble  oars, 

For  an  assault  designed  : 
The  sea  beneath  us  foams  and  roars, 

And  leaves  a  wake  behind. 

A  mighty  whale  we  rush  upon, 

And  in  our  irons  throw  : 
She  sinks  her  monstrous  body  down, 

Among  the  waves  below. 

And  when  she  rises  out  again, 

We  soon  renew  the  fight ; 
Thrust  our  sharp  lances  in  amain. 

And  all  her  rage  excite. 


n 


12  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


Enraged  she  makes  a  mighty  bound : 

Thick  foams  the  whiten'd  sea ; 
The  waves  in  circles  rise  around, 

And  wid'ning  roll  away. 

She  thrashes  with  her  tail  around, 
And  blows  her  red'ning  breath ; 

She  breaks  the  air,  a  deaf'ning  sound, 
While  ocean  groans  beneath. 

From  num'rous  wounds,  with  crimson  flood, 

She  stains  the  frothy  seas, 
And  grasps  and  blows  her  latest  blood 

While  quiv'ring  life  decays. 

With  joyful  hearts  we  see  her  die, 

And  on  the  surface  lay ; 
While  all  with  eager  haste  apply 

To  save  our  breathless  prey. 

When  in  the  hold  we  her  secure, 

And  place  our  bone  and  oil ; 
In  cans  of  punch,  our  sov'reign  cure, 

We  drown  all  care  and  toil. 


A  SONG  NOW  MUCH  IN  VOGUE  IN  NORTH  AMERICA,  SOMETIMES  CALLED 

THE     LIBERTY     SONG. 

BT  JOHN  DICKINSON,  JULY  6TH,   1768. 

Sung  at  the  first  Celebration  of  the  Landing  of  the  Forefathers  at  Plymouth,  Dec. 
22d,  1760,  by  the  O.  Colony  Club. 

Tune,  Hearts  of  Oak. 

Come,  join  hand  and  hand  brave  Americans  all, 
And  rouse  your  bold  hearts  at  fair  Liberty's  call ; 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  13 

No  tyranous  acts  shall  suppress  your  just  claim, 
Or  stain  with  dishonor  America's  name. 

CHORUS. 

In  Freedom  we're  born,  and  in  Freedom  we  '11  live; 

Our  purses  are  ready, 

Steady,  friends,  steady, 
Not  as  Slaves,  but  as  Freemen,  our  money  we  '11  give. 

Our  worthy  Forefathers  —  let 's  give  'em  a  cheer  — 
To  climates  unknown  did  courageously  steer; 
Through  oceans  to  deserts  for  freedom  they  came, 
And  dying,  bequeathed  us  their  freedom  and  fame. 

CHORUS. 

Their  generous  bosoms  all  danger  despised, 
So  highly,  so  wisely,  their  birthright  they  prized ; 
"We  '11  keep  what  they  gave,  —  we  will  piously  keep, 
Nor  frustrate  their  toils  on  the  land  or  the  deep. 


The  Tree  their  own  hands  had  to  liberty  reared, 
They  lived  to  behold  growing  strong  and  rever'd ; 
"With  transport  they  cried,  '  Now  our  wishes  we  gain, 
For  our  children  shall  gather  the  fruits  of  our  pain.' 

CHORUS. 

How  sweet  are  the  labors  that  Freemen  endure, 
That  they  shall  enjoy  all  the  profits  secure. 
No  more  such  sweet  labors  Americans  know, 
If  Britons  shall  reap  what  Americans  sow. 

CHORUS. 

Swarms  of  placemen*  and  pensioners  soon  will  appear, 
Like  locusts  deforming  the  charms  of  the  year; 

*  The  ministry  have  already  begun  to  give  away  in  pensions,  the  money  they  lately  took 
out  of  our  pockets,  xoithout  our  consent. 

2 


14  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Suns  vainly  will  rise,  showers  vainly  descend, 
If  we  are  to  drudge  for  what  others  shall  spend. 

CHORUS. 

Then  join  hand  in  hand,  brave  Americans  all; 
By  uniting  we  stand,  by  dividing,  we  fall ; 
In  so  righteous  a  cause  let  us  hope  to  succeed, 
For  Heaven  approves  of  each  generous  deed. 


All  ages  shall  speak  with  amaze  and  applause, 
Of  the  courage  we  '11  show  in  support  of  our  laws  ; 
To  die  we  can  bear,  but  to  serve  we  disdain  ; 
For  shame  is  to  Freemen  more  dreadful  than  pain. 

CHORUS. 

This  bumper  I  crown  for  our  Sovereign's  health, 
And  this  for  Britannia's  glory  and  wealth ; 
That  wealth  and  that  glory  immortal  may  be, 
If  she  is  but  just,  and  we  are  but  free. 


Note.  The  following  letter,  enclosing  the  song,  was  directed  to  James  Otis,  at  a  period  of 
deep  revolutionary  interest,  and  may  be  found  in  Tudor's  life  of  that  distinguished  states- 
man and  patriot.  The  song  was  recently  discovered  among  the  papers  of  the  late  Benjamin 
If.  Watson,  Esq.  of  this  town,  copied  by  him,  with  a  memo,  appended,  stating  it  to  have  been 
sung  at  the  first  public  celebration  of  the  anniversary,  by  the  O.  C.  Club,  Dec.  22d,  1769. 
The  reader  will  perceive  from  the  circumstances  connected  with  the  composition  of  this 
song,  and  its  use  by  the  O.  Colony  Club,  how  intimately  the  spirit  and  history  of  the  Pil- 
grims were  blended  with  the  feelings  and  principles  developed  in  the  earlier  stages  of  our 
Revolutionary  contest ;  and  how  naturally  the  struggles,  privations  and  hardships  of  the  first 
comers,  in  1620,  formed  the  school  of  preparation  for  Independence  in  1776. 

PniLADELrHiA,  July  4th,  1768. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  enclose  you  a  song  for  American  freedom.  I  have  long  since  renounced  Poetry.  But  as 
indifferent  songs  are  frequently  very  powerful  on  certain  occasions,  I  venture  to  invoke  the 
deserted  muses.  I  hope  that  my  good  intentions  will  procure  pardon  with  those  I  wish  to 
please,  for  the  boldness  of  my  numbers. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  15 


My  worthy  friend,  Dr.  Arthur  Lee,  a  gentleman  of  distinguished  family,  abilities  and 
patriotism,  in  Virginia,  composed  eight  lines  of  it. 

Cardinal  de  Retz  always  enforced  his  political  operations  by  songs. 

I  wish  our  attempt  may  be  useful.  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  from  you,  if  you  have  a  mo- 
ment's leisure  to  scribble  a  line  to,  dear  Sir,  your  most  affectionate,  most  obedient  servant 

JOHX  DlCKtJS'SON. 


-o- 


SONG. 

BY  ALEXANDER    SCAMMEL. 

Sung  at  the  Celebration,  by  the  Old  Colony  Club,  in  1770. 
Tune,  British  Hero. 

All  hail  the  day  that  ushers  in, 

The  period  of  revolving  time, 

In  which  our  sires  of  glorious  fame, 

Bravely  through  toils  and  dangers  came, 

Novanglia's  wilds  to  civilize, 

And  wild  disorder  harmonize, 

To  plant  Britannia's  Arts  and  Arms, 

Plenty,  peace,  freedom,  pleasing  charms, 

Derived  from  British  rights  and  laws, 
That  justly  merit  our  applause, 
Darlings  of  Heaven,  heroes  brave, 
You  still  shall  live  though  in  the  grave. 

Live,  live,  within  each  grateful  breast, 
With  reverence  for  your  names  possessed; 
Your  praises  on  our  Tongues  shall  dwell, 
And  sires  to  sons  your  actions  tell. 


16  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

To  distant  poles  their  praise  resound, 
Let  virtue  be  with  glory  crowned, 
Ye  dreary  wilds,  each  rock  and  cave, 
Echo  the  virtues  of  the  brave. 

They  nobly  braved  their  indigence, 
Death,  famine,  sword,  and  pestilence, 
Each  toil,  each  danger  they  endured, 
Til  for  their  sons  they  had  procured, 

A  fertile  soil,  profusely  blest 

With  Nature's  stores,  and  now  possessed 

By  sons  who  gratefully  revere, 

Our  Fathers'  names  and  memories  dear, 

Plymouth  the  great  Mausoleum, 
Famous  for  our  Forefathers  Tomb, 
Join,  join  the  chorus  one  and  all, 
Resound  their  deeds,  in  Colony  Hall. 


-O — 


NEW   ENGLAND   HYMN. 

BY    THE    EEV.  DB.  MAETHEE  BTLES. 

Adapted  to  the  Tune  America,  as  publislied  in  Billing's  '  Collection  o/3fusic.'   1770. 

To  Thee  the  tuneful  Anthem  Soars, 
To  thee,  our  Father's  God,  and  our's ; 

This  wilderness  we  chose  our  Seat : 
To  Rights  Secured  by  Equal  Laws 
From  Persecution's  Iron  Claws, 

We  here  have  sought  our  calm  Retreat. 


AMERICA.       P.    M. 


fllpiiiglill 

1.  To     Thee  the      tune  -  ful  Anthem  soars* 

Hl^Q  ill-      i  TpTTi  -£+  i     I  I— F 

2.   See!     how  the  Flocks    of    Je  -  sus  rise! 

P-^iW-zlzzzz^z3lzzzF^zcl^zzr^~z^ 

1.  Lord,  guard  thy        fa  -  vors ;  Lord,  extend 

=~?S:$:ft::tzE=ttz£=:zz?izzz=ti:2=E 


:z?:^:{|zg:t:tzczpziz-+ 


To  Thee,  our   Fath  -  er's 


:szi 


See!  how  the      face      of 


:2z:^za: 

— ^^ 

God,  and  ours  ; 


Par  -  -  a  -  dise 


%y 


Where  farther 


west-ern     suns       descend ; 

111 


"iifigisifc 


^lEi^qSfE; 


CONTINUED. 


This     wil  -  der  -  ness      we  chose     our   seat  : 
Blooms  through  the  thick-ets       of 


the  wild! 


:~;e: 


m=-° 


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m 


Nor  south  -  ern     seas     the     blessings  bound; 

km 


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ElBE!E?±EEtEgEEEEEl=l 

To  rights     se  -  -  cured  by         e  -  qual  laws, 


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I~y^EEEEfe^EEte*:E±l 

Here  Lib  -  er  -  -  -  -  ty        e  -  rects  her  throne; 
OS  ■    i-t-s;     r  |  t- — "- — jt»-#-^-yjtgt 


Till  Free-dom        lift 


her  cheer  -  ful  head, 


CONTINUED. 


V 


:gz^rforg=q-q=: 

:pr:p=E::z:t-dz:^i:i 


From  per  -  se  -  -  -  cution's        i  -  -  ron  claws, 

iliiiiiiillil 

Here  plen-ty     pours     her     treas-ures  down ; 


* 


:ai2=^iz:-z:=z=lr=:q=:i]= 


#:p: 


■#H 


Till  pure  re li  -  gion      on  -  ward  spread 


& 


#— 5 

— IF--j — 


i^ggt^gg 


We     here  have  sought  our     calm 


2 
retreat. 


I 


l~EEiS=cEHztEEEEEEiE:EEEiEB 


Peace  smiles,  as     heavenly 


* 


:q==jrr):pgr^ 


And  beam-ing,  wrap    the 


cherubs  mild. 


globe     around. 


£ 


:P=J 


P*: 


2t:z: 


y 


20  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

See  !  how  the  Flocks  of  Jesus  rise ! 
See  !  how  the  Face  of  Paradise 

Blooms  through  the  Thickets  of  the  Wild  ! 
Here  Liberty  erects  her  Throne  ; 
Here  Plenty  pours  her  Treasures  down ; 

Peace  smiles,  as  Heavenly  Cherubs  mild. 

Lord,  guard  thy  Favors  ;  Lord,  extend 
Where  farther  Western  Suns  descend : 

Nor  Southern  Seas  the  blessings  bound ; 
Till  Freedom  lift  her  chearful  Head, 
Till  pure  Religion  onward  spread, 

And  beaming,  wrap  the  Globe  around. 


ODE    FOR   THE   22d    DECEMBER. 

BY   HOX.  JOHX   DAVI8. 

Composed  for  the  Anniversary  Festival,  1792. 
Tcxe  —America* 

Sons  of  renowned  sires 
Join  in  harmonious  choirs 

Swell  your  loud  songs; 
Daughters  of  peerless  dames, 
Come  with  your  mild  acclaims, 
Let  their  revered  names, 

Dwell  on  your  tongues. 


*  This  Ode  was  originally  sung  to  the  tune  of  '  God  save  the  King,'  and  the  same  air  will 
be  recognized  in  the  one  above  annexed. 


AIRS    OF   THE    PILGRIMS.  21 

From  frowning  albion's  seat, 
See  the  famed  band  retreat, 

On  ocean  tost ; 
Blue  tumbling  billows  roar, 
By  keel  scarce  ploughed  before, 
And  bear  them  to  this  shore, 
Fettered  with  frost. 

By  yon  wave  beaten  rock 
See  the  illustrious  flock, 

Collected  stand ; 
To  seek  some  sheltering  grove, 
Their  faithful  partners  move, 
Dear  pledges  of  their  love, 

In  either  hand. 

Not  winter's  sullen  face, 
Not  the  fierce  tawny  race 

In  arms  arrayed ; 
Not  hunger  shook  their  faith, 
Not  sickness'  baleful  breath, 
Nor  Carver's  early  death 

Their  souls  dismayed. 

Watered  by  heavenly  dew, 
The  Germ  of  Empire  grew, 

Freedom  its  root ; 
From  the  cold  northern  pine, 
Far  Tow'rd  the  burning  line, 
Spreads  the  luxuriant  vine, 

Bending  with  fruit. 

Columbia,  child  of  heaven, 
The  best  of  blessings  given, 
Be  thine  to  greet ; 


22  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Hailing  this  votive  day, 
Looking  with  fond  survey, 
Upon  the  weary  way, 
Of  Pilgrim  feet. 

Here  trace  the  moss-grown  stones, 
Where  rest  their  mould'ring  hones, 

Again  to  rise ; 
And  let  thy  sons  be  led, 
To  emulate  the  dead, 
While  o'er  their  tombs  they  tread 

With  moisten'd  eyes. 


Note.  This  copy  has  received  the  revisal  of  the  venerable  author  of  the  composition,  and 
is  entirely  conformable  to  the  original,  excepting  in  the  fifth  verse,  in  which  a  variation  has 
been  recently  introduced  by  him. 


HYMN  FOR  THE  22d    OF   DECEMBER,   1799. 

Tukk,  Old  Hundred. 

Hail,  Pilgrim  Fathers  of  our  race  ! 
With  grateful  hearts  your  toils  we  trace  ; 
Again  this  Votive  Day  returns, 
And  finds  us  bending  o'er  your  urns. 

Jehovah's  arm  prepared  the  road  ; 
The  Heathen  vanish'd  at  his  nod  : 
He  gave  his  Vine  a  lasting  root ; 
He  loads  his  goodly  boughs  with  fruit. 

The  hills  are  cover'd  with  its  shade ; 
Its  thousand  shoots  like  cedars  spread ; 


AIRS    OF   THE    PILGRIMS.  23 

Its  branches  to  the  sea  expand, 
And  reach  to  broad  Superior's  strand. 

Of  peace  and  truth  the  gladsome  ray 
Smiles  in  our  skies  and  cheers  the  day ; 
And  a  new  Empire's  splendent  wheels, 
Roll  o'er  the  top  of  western  hills. 

Hail,  Pilgrim  Fathers  of  our  race  ! 
With  grateful  hearts  your  toils  we  trace  ; 
Oft  as  this  Votive  Day  returns, 
We'll  pay  due  honors  to  your  urns. 

O 

HYMN   FOR  THE  22d  OF   DECEMBER. 

JOHN   QUINCY  ADAMS. 

Tune,  Ferry. 

When  o'er  the  billows  heaving  deep, 

The  Fathers  of  our  race, 
The  precepts  of  their  God  to  keep, 

Sought  here  their  resting  place, 

That  gracious  God  their  path  prepared, 

Preserved  from  every  harm, 
And  still  for  their  protection  bared 

His  everlasting  arm. 

His  breath,  inspiring  every  gale, 

Impels  them  o'er  the  main, 
His  guardian  angel  spreads  the  sail, 

And  tempests  howl  in  vain. 


24  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

For  them  old  ocean's  rocks  are  smoothed ; 

December's  face  grows  mild ; 
To  vernal  airs  her  blasts  are  soothed, 

And  all  their  rage  beguiled. 

When  Famine  rolls  her  haggard  eyes, 

His  ever  bounteous  hand 
Abundance  from  the  sea  supplies, 

And  treasure  from  the  sand. 

Nor  yet  his  tender  mercies  cease, 

His  orer  ruling  plan 
Inclines  to  gentleness  and  peace 

The  heart  of  savage  man. 

And  can  our  stoney  bosoms  be 
To  all  these  wonders  blind, 

Nor  swell  with  thankfulness  to  Thee, 
O  Parent  of  mankind  1 

All  gracious  God,  inflame  our  zeal ; 

Dispense  one  blessing  more ; 
Grant  us  thy  boundless  love  to  feel, 

Thy  goodness  to  adore. 


Note.  The  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  the  venerable  author  of  this  Hymn,  was 
received  in  answer  to  a  request,  for  a  copy :  '  Washington,  10th  March,  1846.  On  the  22d  of 
December,  1802, 1  delivered  at  Plymouth  the  Anniversary  Discourse  on  the  Landing  of  the 
Pilgrims  in  1620.  In  the  morning  of  that  same  day,  before  rising  from  bed,  I  composed  this 
Hymn.  A  scruple  of  doubt  whether  it  would  be  deemed  worthy  of  the  occasion,  restrained 
me  from  producing  it  at  that  time.  At  the  next  celebration,  in  1803, 1  was  not  present ;  but 
I  had  given  a  copy  to  my  inestimable  friend,  Judge  Davis,  and  it  was  then  sung  among  the 
services  of  the  day.  In  an  account  of  them,  a  few  days  after,  in  the  Boston  Centinel,  it  was 
first  published.' 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  25 


HYMN. 

BT  EEV.   DB.  HOLMES. 

Sung,  at  the  186th  Anniversary  of  the  Landing  of  the  Fathers  at  Plymouth, 
December  22d,  1806. 

Tune,  Old  Hundred. 

Our  Fathers'  God!  to  Thee  we  raise, 
With  one  accord,  the  song  of  praise; 
To  Thee  our  grateful  tribute  pay, 
Oft  as  returns  this  festal  day. 

With  tearful  eyes  we  here  will  trace 
Thy  wonders  to  the  Pilgrim  race, 
And  while  those  wonders  we  explore, 
Their  names  extol,  Thy  name  adore. 

Our  Fathers'  God!   Thy  own  decree 
Ordain'd  the  Pilgrims  to  be  free  ; 
In  foreign  lands  they  own'd  thy  care, 
And  found  a  safe  asylum  there. 

When  the  wide  main  they  travers'd  o'er, 
And  landed  on  this  sea-beat  shore, 
The  Pigrim's  Rock  must  e'er  proclaim 
Thy  guardian  care  was  still  the  same. 

Our  Fathers'  God!  while  here  we  trace 
Our  lineage  to  the  Pilgrim  race, 
O  may  we  like  those  Pilgrims  live, 
And  in  the  sons  the  sires  revive. 

Our  Fathers'  God  !  to  Thee  we  raise, 
With  one  accord,  the  song  of  praise ; 
To  Thee  our  grateful  tribute  pay, 
Oft  as  returns  this  festal  day. 
3 


26  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


SONG. 

BY  THOMAS   GBEENE   FESSBNDEN-. 

Sung  at  the  Celebration  by  tbe  New  England  Society,  Dec.  22d,  1806. 
Tune,  Hail  Columbia. 

The  Almighty  gave  the  high  behest  — 

Rise  an  Empire  in  the  West, 
Freedom's  loved  and  last  abode, 
Freedom's  loved  and  last  abode. 

Our  fathers  bowed  to  his  decree, 

And  dauntless  braved  an  unknown  sea  — 
Climb'd  the  foaming  precipice, 
Plunged  adown  the  black  abyss, 
Where  the  maddening  tempest  raves, 
Where  meet  the  sky  the  mountain  waves. 


Sons  of  freedom  swell  the  song ; 
To  sainted  sires  the  notes  prolong, 
'Till  the  echoing  skies  around, 
Sound  the  trumpet-tone  rebound. 

Lo !  the  heaven  protected  band 
Seeks  the  forest  fringed  strand ; 
Roars  the  rough  hybernal  blast, 
Roars  the  rough  hybernal  blast. 
Countless  perils  wait  them  here, 
Sickness  pale  and  famine  drear  — 
Pining  want  and  dire  disease 
Float  in  every  blasting  breeze; 
Desolation's  ghastly  form 
Rides  in  every  death-wing'd  storm. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  27 

Murd'rous  hordes  of  savage  foes 
Round  the  pious  pilgrims  rose, 

"With  flinty  hearts  and  blood-stained  hands, 

With  flinty  hearts  and  blood-stained  hands. 
From  horrors  haunts,  in  wilds  immense, 
Lo!  the  gloomy  bands  condense  — 

Hark!  the  war-hoop's  frantic  yell 

Bursts  from  yonder  dismal  dell; 

Savage  forms  of  demons  dire 

Wrap  the  Pilgrims'  camp  in  fire. 

CHORUS. 

Sons,  &c. 

The  God  at  whose  behest 
Rose  an  Empire  in  the  West  — 

Freedom's  loved  and  last  abode, 

Freedom's  loved  and  last  abode  — 
Protected  still,  with  mighty  hand, 
The  Pilgrims  in  a  barbarous  land : 

Raise  the  song  of  festive  mirth 

To  those  who  gave  an  Empire  birth; 

Their  names  and  memories  shall  rest 

Enthroned  in  every  freeman's  breast. 

CHORUS. 

Sons,  &c. 


THE   SAINTED    SIRES. 

BY  A  MEMBER  OF  THE  HEW  ENGLAND  SOCIETY,  OF  NEW  YOEK. 

Tune,  Anacreon  in  Heaven. 


While  Pilgrims'  sons,  a  festive  throng, 
To  sainted  sires  their  homage  pay, 


28  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Be  this  the  burthen  —  the  burthen  of  their  song, 
And  rapture  animate  the  lay: 

CHORUS. 

Hail  ye  Pilgrims ! 
Ye  sainted  Pilgrims,  hail! 
Till  hours,  and  years,  and  time  shall  fail. 

By  heroes  led,  by  virtue  warm'd, 
Conducted  by  th'  Almighty  hand, 
They  brav'd  the  ocean  —  the  ocean  and  the  storm. 
And  freedom  sought  in  unknown  land. 

CHORUS. 

Hail  ye  Pilgrims !   &c. 

The  perils  of  the  ocean  past, 
Fresh  dangers  quickly  them  surround ; 
Shrill  screams  the  savage  —  the  savage  o'er  the  blast, 
And  rocks  and  hills  repeat  the  sound. 

CHORUS. 

Hail  ye  Pilgrims !  &c. 

The  barb'rous  foe  to  battle  fly, 
Intent  on  bloody  deeds  and  spoil, 
Swift  flies  the  arrow  —  the  arrow  through  the  sky, 
But  vict'ry  crowns  the  Pilgrim's  toil. 

CHORUS. 

Hail  ye  Pilgrims !  &c. 

Success  attend  the  good  and  brave  ; 
The  meed  of  praise  to  them  belongs, 
Virtue  shall  triumph  —  shall  triumph  o'er  the  grave, 
And  angels  join  their  rapturous  songs. 

CHORUS. 

Hail  ye  Pilgrims ! 
Ye  sainted  Pilgrims,  hail! 
When  earth,  and  sky,  and  time  shall  fail. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  29 


ORIGINAL    SONG. 

BY  JOSEPH  -WAKEEN  BEACKETT,  ESQ. 

Sung  before  tne  N.  E.  Society,  in  New  York,  Dec.  22d,  1807. 
Tune,  Anacreon  in  Heaven. 

Hail !  sons  of  the  Pilgrims,  assembled  to  pay 

Festivity's  rite  to  our  Fathers  in  Glory! 
May  the  ardor  of  friendship  enliven  the  lay, 
And  their  virtues  be  told,  while  we  glow  with  the  story, 
"With  the  patriot's  fire, 
Be  enflam'd  each  desire, 
To  all  that  is  noble,  each  bosom  aspire; 
For,  long  as  old  earth  on  her  axle  shall  turn, 
On  the  altars  of  freemen  pure  incense  should  burn. 

^Yhen  tyranny  bigotry's  banners  upreared, 

Those  fathers,  for  conscience,  for  freedom,  self-ban ish'd, 
Confiding  in  Heaven,  o'er  the  wild  billow  steer'd, 
And  in  Holland  found  refuge,  while  bigotry  vanished: 
There,  strangers  awhile, 
From  their  friends — from  their  Isle, 
See  them  sojourn  in  hope,  —  in  adversity  smile ; 
Till  raising  again  the  white  sail  to  the  wind, 
They  plough  the  rough  main,  their  own  region  to  find. 

Long  tossing  in  doubt,  o'er  the  wildering  wave, 
The  pilot  yet  timid  to  brave  the  commotion ; 
Them  hailing  to  freedom,  from  perils  to  save, 
Columbia  display'd  her  blue  skirt  from  the  ocean. 
In  Plymouth  they  land 
On  the  bleak  barren  strand, 
Yet  they're  strong  in  their  shield  —  an  omnipotent  hand  : 
For  there,  to  their  wand'rings,  a  period  they  find, 
And  their  brows  with  the  laurels  of  freedom  first  bind. 
3* 


30  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

The  savage  his  quiver  exhausted  in  vain  ; 

He  rose  —  but  his  tomahawk  idle  descended: 
Independent,  the  Pilgrims  mov'd  free  o'er  the  plain; 
Magnanimity  nerv'd  them  —  their  bravery  defended: 
Tho'  environ'd  by  foes, 
They  found  calm  repose, 
While  the  wilderness  blossom'd  and  smil'd  like  the  rose : 
Till  late  to  the  grave,  as  they  smoothly  declin'd, 
To  their  offspring,  their  virtue,  a  birthright  resign'd. 

When  Albion  their  heirs  to  enslave  vainly  strove, 

When  lunatic  Gallia  committed  agression, 
They  lowr'd  in  the  combat  —  the  assailants  hence  drove, 
Independence  they  won  —  of  their  rights  kept  possession. 
Then  oft  will  we  tell, 
In  the  feast  of  the  shell, 
The  deeds  of  their  fame,  'till  with  transport  we  swell ; 
And  teach  the  sweet  infant,  that  smiles  on  his  sire, 
To  pant  for  like  fame,  and  to  glow  with  like  fire. 

Tho'  society's  base  were  by  faction  assaii'd, 

Or  the  bane  of  our  safety,  by  flatt'ry  were  varnish'd ; 
Tho'  the  vet'ran  be  seen  in  his  hamlet  unmail'd  — 
Retir'd  from  the  Council,  his  laurels  untarnish'd: 
Yet  the  foe  on  our  coast, 
Lo  !  he  flies  to  his  post; 
His  valor  impels  —  in  himself  he's  a  host: 
And  with  him  the  sons  of  New  England  shall  fly, 
Resolv'd  to  live  honor'd,  or  nobly  to  die. 

Yes,  now  from  the  East  see  aggression  impend ! 

Ye  ven'rable  shades,  your  remembrance  shall  fire  us ; 
Our  rights  shall  be  sacred  —  our  laws  we  '11  defend; 
Our  union  shall  strengthen  —  true  glory  inspire  us  : 
Iftheboltbebuthurl'd, 
Shall  our  flags  be  unfurl'd; 
Tho'/eu>,  yet  their  fame  shall  extend  o'er  the  world, 


AIRS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  31 

While  the  honors,  and  laurels,  that  deck  our  brave  tars, 
Shall  end  but  with  time,  and  but  fade  with  the  stars  ! 

Thus,  oft  in  our  pilgrimage,  mem'ry  shall  glow, 

As  the  tale  of  the  past  comes  with  pleasure  attendant ; 
And  the  boast  of  our  nation,  latest  ages  shall  know  — 
Our  Fathers  in  Glory  —  their  sons  Independent! 
Then  glad  be  your  song 
Ye  convivial  throng ; 
Roll,  roll  the  full  chorus  of  rapture  along: 
For,  long  as  old  earth  on  her  axle  shall  turn, 
On  the  altars  of  freemen  pure  incense  must  burn. 


O — 

ORIGINAL   SONG. 

BY  PETER  HAWES,  ESQ. 

Sang  before  the  New  England  Society  in  New  York,  December  22d,  1807. 
Tune,  Yankee  Doodle. 

If,  Yankees,  you  would  have  a  song, 

A  deuced  nation  fine  one, 
Then  in  the  chorus  all  along, 

I  guess  you'd  like  to  join  one. 

CHORUS. 

Then  Yankee  Doodle,  one  and  all, 
Pass  'round  the  chorus  handy; 

For  some  can  sing,  and  all  can  bawl, 
Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

Our  grandsires  liv'd  a  great  way  ofF, 

And  if  you  think  to  doubt  it, 
And  I  had  only  time  enough, 

I  'd  tell  you  all  about  it. 


32  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

CHORUS. 

Then  Yankee  Doodle,  roar  away, 
And  keep  the  chorus  handy ; 

For  some  can  sing,  and  all  can  say, 
Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

I  'd  tell  you  all,  how  hard  they  were 

For  tithes  an,d  taxes  hunted, 
And  how  they  did  n't  think  't  was  fair, 

And  how  they  got  affronted. 

CHORU8. 

But  Yankee  Doodle,  all  once  more, 
Keep  up  the  chorus  handy, 

For  some  can  sing  and  all  can  roar, 
Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

And  how  of  what  might  them  befal, 

They  nothing  were  afraid  in, 
So  took  their  wives  and  children  all, 

And  off  they  push'd  for  Leyden. 

CHORUS. 

Then  Yankee  Doodle,  one  and  all, 
Struck  up  the  chorus  handy, 

As  loud  as  they  could  sing  and  bawl, 
Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

And  there  they  got  a  monstrous  ship, 

As  big  as  any  Gun  Boat, 
And  all  to  fit  her  for  a  trip 

I  guess  was  nicely  done  to 't. 

CHORUS. 

Then  Yankee  Doodle  all  aboard! 

Pip'd  out  the  Boatswain  handy, 
And  young  and  old  struck  up  and  roar'd, 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Then  ev'ry  man,  he  seiz'd  a  rope, 

And  pull'd  with  all  his  soul,  sir, 
And  haul'd  the  Tow-cloth  all  way  up, 

And  ti'd  it  to  the  Pole,  sir. 

CHORUS. 

Then  Yankee  Doodle  now  they  go 
All  in  their  ship  so  handy, 

And  sing  All-saints,  Old  Hundred  too, 
And  Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

But  when  they  got  away  from  shore, 
And  'fore  the  wind  did  streak  it, 

And  heard  the  ocean  billows  roar, 
I  guess  they  did  n't  like  it. 

CHORUS. 

But  Yankee  Doodle,  never  mind, 
Strike  up  the  chorus  handy, 

They  'd  left  th'  oppressors  far  behind, 
So  Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

And  there  they  saw  a  great  big  fish 
That  thrash'd  about  his  tail,  sir, 

And  look  so  deuced  saucyish, 
I  guess  it  was  a  whale,  sir. 

CHORUS. 

But  Yankee  Doodle  let  him  go, 
All  in  the  deep  so  handy, 

While  we  above  and  he  below 
Sing  Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

But  now  a  dreadful  storm  arose, 
And  dang'rous  case  they  stood  in, 

And  hail,  and  rain,  and  sleet,  and  snows, 
Fell  thick  as  Hasty  Pudding! 


33 


34  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

CHORUS. 

But,  foul  or  fair,  we  're  stout  and  strong, 
In  ev'ry  lot  we  're  handy ; 

Then  join  the  chorus,  and  the  song, 
Of  Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

The  billows  they  roll'd  up  on  high, 

Enough  the  ship  to  fill,  sir, 
And  toss'd  the  vessel  at  the  sky, 

As  high  as  'Chusett  Hill,  sir. 

CHORUS. 

But  Yankee  Doodle,  that 's  the  thing 
At  which  we're  always  handy ; 

For,  high  or  low,  we  '11  always  sing, 
Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

And  now  this  noble  ship,  once  more, 

As  staunch  as  ever  man  trod, 
Approach'd  the  sandy,  desert  shore, 

And  landed  them  on  Cape  Cod. 

CHORUS. 

Then  Yankee  Doodle,  all  again 
Join'd  in  the  chorus  handy, 

And  sung  aloud  with  might  and  main, 
Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

When  all  were  safely  landed  so, 
Our  grand-daddies  and  grand-dams, 

And  Sail,  and  Sue,  and  Bill,  and  Joe, 
All  had  a  feast  on  sand-elams ! 

CHORUS. 

Then  Yankee  Doodle,  all,  you  know, 
Join'd  in  the  chorus  handy, 

And  Sail,  and  Sue,  and  Bill,  and  Joe, 
Sung  Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  35 

To  keep  the  bears  and  panthers  out, 

And  not  less  savage  wild-man, 
Of  white  pine  logs  each  built  a  hut, 

As  big  as  Father's  Hog- Pen  ! 

CHORUS. 

Then  Yankee  Doodle  let  them  come, 

They'  11  always  find  us  handy 
With  musket  balls  instead  of  rum, 

So  Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

They  planted  fields  enclos'd  with  stakes, 

And  work'd  like  dogs  or  asses  ; 
Made  pumpkin  pies  and  indian  cakes, 

And  ate  them  up  with  'lasses. 

CHORUS. 

Then  Yankee  Doodle,  one  and  all, 

Join'd  in  the  chorus  handy, 
As  loud  as  they  could  sing  and  bawl, 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

And  ev'ry  day  for  many  weeks, 

Beginning  on  each  Monday, 
They  watch'd  and  woik'd  and  fought  like  Greeks 

And  went  to  church  on  Sunday. 

CHORUS. 

For  Yankee  Doodle,  heroes  great 

In  all  good  works  are  handy ; 
In  peace,  or  war,  in  church,  or  state, 

They  're  Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 

SECOND   CHORUS. 

Then  Yankee  Doodle,  all  once  more, 

Join  in  the  chorus  handy, 
As  loud  as  you  can  sing  and  roar, 

Yankee  Doodle  Dandy. 


36  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIM3. 

NEW  ENGLAND   SONG. 

COMPOSED  IK  1311  BY  SAMUEL    F.  BKOWN,  ESQ.  OF  BUCKFIELD,  MAINE. 

When  our  fathers  of  yore,  hove  in  sight  of  this  shore, 

And  the  sailors  were  first  heard  to  sing  land, 
From  their  cabin,  so  hamper'd,  on  deck  they  all  scamper'dr 
To  take  the  first  peep  at  New  England : 
The  rough  rugged  shores  of  New  England ; 
The  wild  woods  and  rocks  of  New  England :        * 
So,  pleased  with  the  view,  they  directly  hove  to, 
And  they  capered  ashore  in  Neio  England. 

They  tore  up  the  soil,  with  abundance  of  toil, 
And  they  soon  made  a  beautiful  green  land; 
And  they  planted  a  tree,  which  they  called  Libeityr 
In  the  generous  soil  of  New  England. 
It  flourished  and  grew  in  New  England : 
Its  branches  spread  over  Neio  England : 
And  under  its  shadow  our  fathers  have  had,  O  ! 
The  richest  of  joys  in  New  England. 

But  Mr.  John  Bull,  who  would  lord  it  in  full, 

Came  out  in  a  rage  from  Old  England, 
And  swore  that  this  tree  no  longer  should  be 
Found  growing  so  high  in  New  England: 
That  it  never  belonged  to  New  England : 
Though  it  already  bloomed  in  New  England  : 
So  we  soon  came  to  blows ;  with  a  huge  bloody  nose, 
He  was  glad  to  pack  off  from  New  England. 

Next  came  Monsieur  Frank,  all  so  nimble  and  crank, 

Who  thought  o'er  the  world  he  should  swing  hand  ; 
From  rabble  and  robbery  to  kick  up  a  bobbery, 
'Mong  the  peaceable  folks  of  New  Eigland  : 
To  sow  his  wild  oats  in  New  England : 
To  sap  the  fair  tree  of  New  England : 


NEW   ENGLAND. 

A  song  composed  in  1811,  by  Samuel  F.  Broivn,  Esq. 
of  Buckfield,  Maine. 

|pz:?:&zzzz!?zfz*zz*zz H?z:?z*r^zizt=t»= 

When  our       fathers     of  yore  hove  in  sight  of 

z*z^*z?zI=iE=E^EiE:i=:izEizz3z 

-I — I — — ^-+-i 1- 1 1 1 1 — 4 '—9— 

if  L J J~^: — *» — ** — ^ — * — '*- l ; 

this  shore, And  sailors  were  first  heard  to     sing  land, 

From  cab  -  in      so  hamper'd,  on  deck  they  all  scam- 


:izr==E^I:j 


Y — w — * 
per'd,  To  take  the  first  peep  at  New  England  :  The 


z^zzpzzpzz^zz 


zzazziz 


-^ — i~ 
— ^- 


rough, rugged  shores  of  New  England,The  wild  woods 


and  rocks  of  New  England:  So  pleased  with  the  view, they  di- 
rectly  hove  to,and  they  caper'd  a-shore  in  New  England. 


38  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

The  beef  and  the  cod  of  New  England : 
To  our  tight  little  navy  he  soon  cried  pecavi, 
And  he  capered  away  from  New  England. 

Now  we've  peace  all  around,  and  with  joy  we  abound, 

Our  rights  are  secured  in  this  free  land; 
Let 's  all  be  united,  for  all  are  delighted 
With  the  manners  of  men  of  New  England : 

The  fields  and  the  brooks  of  New  England : 
The  beef  and  the  cod  of  New  England  : 
Our  Army  and  Navy  wrill  send  to  Old  Davy 
The  foes  to  the  rights  of  New  England. 


HYMN. 


AUTHOR  UNKNOWN. 


Tune,  Lyons. 


+ 


A  rock  in  the  wilderness  welcomed  our  sires, 
From  bondage  far  over  the  dark  rolling  sea ; 

On  that  holy  altar  they  kindled  the  fires, 
Jehovah,  which  glow  in  our  bosoms  for  thee. 

Thy  blessings  descended  in  sunshine  and  shower, 
Or  rose  from  the  soil  that  was  sown  by  thy  hand; 

The  mountain  and  valley  rejoiced  in  thy  power, 
And  heaven  encircled  and  smiled  on  the  land. 

The  Pilgrims  of  old  an  example  have  given 

Of  mild  resignation,  devotion  and  love, 
Which  beams  like  the  star  in  the  blue  vault  of  Heaven, 

A  beacon-light  hung  in  the  mansions  above. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  39 

In  church  and  cathedral  we  kneel  in  our  prayer, 
Their  temple  and  chapel  were  valley  and  hill ; 

But  God  is  the  same  in  the  aisle,  or  the  air, 
And  he  is  the  Rock  that  we  lean  upon  still. 


O 


OD  E, 


BY    SAMUEL   DAVIS. 


Tune,  St.  Martins  ob  Avid  Lang  Syne. 

Let  children  learn  the  mighty  deeds, 
Their  Sires  achieved  of  old ; 

And  still,  as  time  to  time  succeeds, 
To  them  the  tale  unfold. 

Here  while  we  fondly  trace  the  scene 

This  joyous  day  recalls, 
Let  youth  with  reverend  age  convene 

Within  these  hallowed  walls. 

Their  pious  toils,  their  just  rewards, 

Returning  tributes  claim, 
While  faithful  history  records 

Each  venerable  name. 

Here  first  the  temple's  votive  fane, 
Aspiring,  sought  the  skies, 

And  here  Religion's  exiled  train 
Bade  sacred  altars  rise. 

No  longer  now  the  roaming  hords 

Unhallowed  vigils  keep; 
No  more  affrighted  mothers  guard 

Their  cradled  infants  sleep : 


40  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

But  social  arts  and  peaceful  homes 

This  favored  land  endear, 
Where  fields  and  masts  and  rising  domes, 

With  scattered  grace,  appear. 

Let  musing  strangers  view  the  ground, 
Here  seek  tradition's  lore, 

Where  Pilgrims  walked  on  holy  ground, 
With  God  in  days  of  yore  ; 

And  where  around  the  savage  tribe, 
Alarmed  with  horrid  yells, 

Assembling  crowds  secure  imbibe 
What  holy  legend  tells. 

Let  children  emulate  their  deeds, 
Their  choral  praises  sing ; 

So  shall  the  muse,  as  time  proceeds, 
Her  meed  of  incense  bring. 


TWO   HUNDRED   YEARS   AGO. 


The  following  Song,  composed  by  Ebv.  Dr.  Flint,  for  the  occasion,  was  sung  at 
the  Public  Dinner  at  Plymouth,  on  the  22d  of  December,  1820. 


Come,  listen  to  my  story, 

Though  often  told  before, 
Of  men  who  pass'd  to  glory, 

Through  toil  and  travail  sore ; 
Of  men  who  did  for  conscience  sake 

Their  native  land  forego, 
And  sought  a  home  and  freedom  here 

Two  hwndred  years  ago. 


TWO  HUNDRED  YEARS  AGO. 

A  song  written  by  Rev.  James  Flint,  D.  D.  of 

Salem,   Mass.   for  the   Centennial    Celebration    at 

Plymouth,  1820.     Music  by  b.  brown,  Esq. 


ANDANTE. 

•ft-# — 


i:£»ip: 


:z*-^: :  Jz^:  t  •  z:  ±zff =:? :  £  I 


MZWzjzj:: 


Come,     listen   to  my 


story,  Though  often  told  be- 


57 ^v-**-t* — * — -#-^1^-^ — 

fore  3      Of  men  who  pass'd  to  glory  Thro'  toil  and  travail 

^•#:z~z::r*-z"iZi£~ZZz3l"ZZZZi:zz: 
M— h~+ — l-i — — 4 — I — !-■--' 1 1 — 


u§ ^ — i-h-+" — i — ^-i-f' — ' — ' \+-\-m-\ — *4 

g^ ~ ^i^_^ ^±^_^_^_^l#_#_^ — J. 

sore  :  Of  men  who  did  for  conscience  sakeTheir  native  land  fore- 


go,     And  sought    a  home  and  freedom  here, Two  hundred  years  a-go. 

fa 


CONTINUED. 


CHORUS. 


^7 X—  W ±-0--j-±*-*-* 

Two  hundred  years  a go,  Two  hundred  years  a- 

tr *~ — a-n«* * 

<$-\#~z  pzMzpz^zaziz*— pzizzzzzzzz 


ADAGIO.  AD.  LIB. 

— ^_ — J. J. — ^lJrlrJ,_*-J._-»._ 

go,        And  sought  ahome  and  freedom  here  Two  hundred  years  a-go. 

i^p:gfczfrt*}s:t:tf}?:»:*:^H:[l: 

'ZZZp-gZl^-v-v — 1» ^^J. BI^-l_ 


4- — ** — *-*-*L 


WWW   !■■'=■ 


£2JCp 


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AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  43 

O,  't  was  no  earth-born  passion, 

That  bade  the  adventurers  stray; 
The  world  and  all  its  fashion, 

With  them  had  passed  away. 
A  voice  from  Heaven  bade  them  look 

Above  the  things  below, 
When  here  they  sought  a  resting-place 

Two  hundred  years  ago. 

0,  dark  the  scene  and  dreary, 

When  here  they  set  them  down ; 
Of  storms  and  billows  weary, 

And  chill'd  with  winter's  frown. 
Deep  moan'd  the  forests  to  the  wind, 

Loud  howl'd  the  savage  foe, 
While  here  their  evening  prayer  arose 

Two  hundred  years  ago. 

'T  would  drown  the  heart  in  sorrow 

To  tell  of  all  their  woes; 
No  respite  could  they  borrow, 

But  from  the  grave's  repose. 
Yet  nought  could  daunt  the  Pilgrim  Band 

Or  sink  their  courage  low, 
Who  came  to  plant  the  Gospel  here 

Two  hundred  years  ago. 

With  humble  prayer  and  fasting, 

In  every  strait  and  grief, 
They  sought  the  Everlasting, 

And  found  a  sure  relief. 
Their  cov'nant  God  o'ershadow'd  them, 

Their  shield  from  every  foe, 
And  gave  them  here  a  dwelling  place 

Two  hundred  years  ago. 


44  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Of  fair  New  England's  glory, 

They  laid  the  corner-stone ; 
This  praise,  in  deathless  story, 

Their  grateful  sons  shall  own. 
Prophetic  they  foresaw  in  time, 

A  mighty  state  should  grow, 
From  them  a  few,  faint  Pilgrims  here, 

Two  himdred  years  ago. 

If  greatness  be  in  daring, 

Our  Pilgrim  Sires  were  great, 
Whose  sojourn  here,  unsparing, 

Disease  and  famine  wait ; 
And  oft  their  treach'rous  foes  combin'd 

To  lay  the  strangers  low, 
[  While  founding  here  their  commonwealth 

Two  hundred  years  ago. 

Though  seeming  over-zealous, 

In  things  by  us  deem'd  light, 
They  were  but  duly  jealous 

Of  power  usurping  right. 
They  nobly  chose  to  part  with  all 

Most  dear  to  men  below, 
To  worship  here  their  God  in  peace 

Two  himdred  years  ago. 

From  seeds  they  sowed  with  weeping, 

Our  richest  harvests  rise, 
We  still  the  fruits  are  reaping 

Of  Pilgrim  enterprise. 
Then  grateful  we  to  them  will  pay 

The  debt  of  fame  we  owe, 
Who  planted  here  the  tree  of  life 

Two  himdred  years  ago. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  45 

As  comes  this  period  yearly, 

Around  our  cheerful  fires, 
We  '11  think  and  tell  how  dearly 

Our  comforts  cost  our  sires. 
For  them  will  wake  the  votive  song, 

And  bid  the  canvass  glow, 
Who  fix'd  the  home  of  freedom  here 

Two  hundred  years  ago. 


-O 


ODE 

For  the  Celebration  of  the  Anniversary  of  the  Pilgrim  Society  of  Plymouth. 
December  22d,  1824. 

BY    EEV.   J.    PIEBPOHT. 

The  pilgrim  fathers  —  where  are  they  % 

The  waves  that  brought  them  o'er 
Still  roll  in  the  bay,  and  throw  their  spray, 

As  they  break  along  the  shore : 
Still  roll  in  the  bay,  as  they  rolled  that  day 

When  the  Mayflower  moored  below, 
When  the  sea  around  was  black  with  storms, 

And  white  the  shore  with  snow. 

The  mists,  that  wrapped  the  pilgrim's  sleep, 

Still  brood  upon  the  tide ; 
And  his  rocks  yet  keep  their  watch  by  the  deep, 

To  stay  its  waves  of  pride; 
But  the  snow-white  sail,  that  he  gave  to  the  gale 

When  the  heavens  looked  dark,  is  gone  :  — 
As  an  angel's  wing,  through  an  opening  cloud, 

Is  seen,  and  then  withdrawn. 


46  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

The  pilgrim  exile  —  sainted  name ! 

The  hill,  whose  icy  brow 
Rejoiced,  when  he  came,  in  the  morning's  flame, 

In  the  morning's  flame  burns  now. 
And  the  moon's  cold  light  as  it  lay  that  night 

On  the  hill-side  and  the  sea, 
Still  lies  where  he  laid  his  houseless  head ;  — 

But  the  pilgrim —  where  is  he  % 


The  pilgrim  fathers  are  at  rest : 

When  Summer's  throned  on  high, 
And  the  world's  warm  breast  is  in  verdure  dressed 

Go,  stand  on  the  hill  where  they  lie. 
The  earliest  ray  of  the  golden  day 

On  that  hallowed  spot  is  cast ; 
And  the  evening  sun,  as  he  leaves  the  world, 

Looks  kindly  on  that  spot  last. 


The  pilgrim  spirit  has  not  fled : 

It  walks  in  noon's  broad  light; 
And  it  watches  the  bed  of  the  glorious  dead, 

With  the  holy  stars,  by  night. 
It  watches  the  bed  of  the  brave  who  have  bled, 

And  shall  guard  this  ice-bound  shore, 
Till  the  waves  of  the  bay,  where  the  Mayflower  lay, 

Shall  foam  and  freeze  no  more. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  47 

HYMN. 

Sung  at  Pilgrim  Hall  at  the  Celebration  of  1824. 

COMPOSED  BY  WILLIAM  P.  LCNT. 

Tcke,  Bruce's  Address,  Scots  wha  ha,  frc. 

Holy  spot!  where  glowing  choirs, 
Oft  have  wakened  grateful  lyres, 
Oft  have  kindled  grateful  fires, 

O'er  the  Pilgrim's  grave  ; 

Once  again  we  press  the  shore, 
Where  our  Fathers  sternly  swore, 
Ocean  should  forget  to  roar, 

Ere  they  would  be  slaves. 

Hail  the  dawn  when  Freedom's  rays 
Hushed  Columbia's  icy  face ; 
Sweeter  strains  arise  of  praise, 

Than  from  Memnon's  harp. 

Hail  the  spot  —  our  Sires'  retreat ! 
Hail  the  waves  that  round  them  beat, 
Hail  the  Rock  that  bore  their  feet, 

When  their  wanderings  ceased. 

Fancy  paints  in  yonder  bay 

The  bark  that  broke  the  Pilgrim's  way, 

The  Cradle  where  our  nation  lay 

In  her  infant  days. 

See  the  boat  approach  the  land, 
Freighted  with  the  pious  band, 
See  they  kneel  upon  the  strand, 

Warm  with  gratitude. 


48  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Vent  your  fury  wind  and  flood, 
Freedom's  bark  is  safely  moored, 
Freedom's  sons  with  hearts  assured 

Now  their  work  begin. 

Gloomy  scenes  await  the  brave ; 
Savage  foes  around  them  rave  ; 
Carver  fills  an  early  grave, 

Hope  well  nigh  expires. 

But  to  Faith's  reluming  eye, 
Visions  bright  in  prospect  lie  ; 
E'en  a  triumph  'twere  to  die, 

If  in  conscience  free. 

Still  above  the  sacred  dead, 
Future  crowds  shall  yearly  tread; 
Blooming  youth  and  hoary  head, 

Meet  around  their  urns. 

Oft  shall  Genius'  fluent  tongue, 
Trace  the  story,  swell  the  song; 
Oft  amidst  the  listening  throng 

Thrill  the  feeling  soul. 

Ye  who  've  sprung  from  noble  blood, 
Men  who  spurned  the  Tyrant's  rod, 
Men  who  bowed  to  none  but  God, 

Here  your  vows  repeat: 

*  By  their  pious  shades  we  swear, 
By  their  toils  and  perils  here, 
We  will  guard  with  jealous  care, 

Law  and  Liberty.' 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

LINES. 

WASHINGTON  ALLSTON. 

Though  ages  long  have  past, 

Since  our  fathers  left  their  home, 
Their  pilot  in  the  blast, 

O'er  untravelled  seas  to  roam, — 
Yet  lives  the  blood  of  England  in  our  veins : 
And  shall  we  not  proclaim, 
That  blood  of  honest  fame, 
Which  no  tyranny  can  tame, 

By  its  chains  ? 

"While  the  language  free  and  bold, 

Which  the  bard  of  Avon  sung, 
In  which  our  Milton  told, 

How  the  vault  of  Heaven  rung 
When  Satan,  blasted,  fell  with  all  his  host; 
While  these,  with  reverence  meet, 
Ten  thousand  echoes  greet, 
And  from  rock  to  rock  repeat, 

Round  our  coast; 

While  the  manners,  while  the  arts, 

That  mould  a  nation's  soul, 
Still  cling  around  our  hearts, 
Between,  let  ocean  roll, 
Our  joint  communion  breaking  with  the  sun  ; 
Yet  still  from  either  beach, 
The  voice  of  blood  shall  reach 
More  audible  than  speech, 

We  are  one.* 


*  This  alludes  merely  to  the  moral  union  of  the  two  countries.  The  author  would  not  have 
it  supposed  that  the  tribute  of  respect,  offered  in  these  stanzas  to  the  land  of  his  ancestors, 
would  be  paid  by  him,  if  at  the  expense  of  the  independence  of  that  which  gave  him  birth. 

5 


50  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

HYMN. 

BY  W.  C.  BBYANT. 

Wild  was  the  day;  the  wintry  sea 
Moaned  sadly  on  New  England's  strand. 

When  first,  the  thoughtful  and  the  free, 
Our  fathers,  trod  the  desert  land. 

They  little  thought  how  pure  a  light 
With  years,  should  gather  round  that  day ; 

How  love  should  keep  their  memories  bright, 
How  wide  a  realm  their  sons  should  sway. 

Green  are  their  bays ;  and  greener  still 
Shall  round  their  spreading  fame  be  wreathed, 

And  regions  now  untrod,  shall  thrill 
With  reverence,  when  their  names  are  breathed. 

Till  where  the  sun,  with  softer  fires, 

Looks  on  the  vast  Pacific's  sleep, 
The  children  of  the  pilgrim  sires, 

This  hallowed  day  like  us  shall  keep. 


THE   LANDING   OF   THE   PILGRIM  FATHERS. 


BY   MBS.  IIEMANS. 


The  breaking  waves  dashed  high 
On  a  stern  and  rock-bound  coast 

And  the  woods,  against  a  stormy  sky 
Their  giant  branches  tost ; 

And  the  heavy  night  hung  dark, 
The  hills  and  waters  o'er, 


AIRS    OF    THE  PILGRIMS.  51 

When  a  band  of  exiles  moored  their  bark 
On  the  wild  New  England  shore. 

Not  as  the  conqueror  comes, 

They,  the  true-hearted  came, 
Not  with  the  roll  of  the  stirring  drums, 

And  the  trumpet  that  sings  of  fame ; 

Not  as  the  flying  come, 

In  silence  and  in  fear, — 
They  shook  the  depths  of  the  desert's  gloom 

With  their  hymns  of  lofty  cheer. 

Amidst  the  storm  they  sang, 

And  the  stars  heard  and  the  sea ! 
And  the  sounding  aisles  of  the  dim  woods  rang 

To  the  anthem  of  the  free  ! 

The  ocean-eagle  soared, 

From  his  nest  by  the  white  wave's  foam, 
And  the  rocking  pines  of  the  forest  roared  — 

This  was  their  welcome  home  ! 

There  were  men  with  hoary  hair, 

Amidst  that  pilgrim-band, 
Why  had  they  come  to  wither  there 

Away  from  their  childhood's  land  1 

There  was  woman's  fearless  eye, 

Lit  by  her  deep  love's  truth ; 
There  was  manhood's  brow  serenely  high, 

And  the  fiery  heart  of  youth. 

What  sought  they  thus  afar  ? 

Bright  jewels  of  the  mine  1 
The  wealth  of  seas,  the  spoils  of  war? 

—  They  sought  a  faith's  pure  shrine ! 


52  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Aye,  call  it  holy  ground, 

The  soil  where  first  they  trod ! 
They  have  left  unstain'd  what  there  they  found  — 
Freedom  to  worship  God ! 

These  glorious  verses  will  find  an  echo  in  the  breast  of  every  true  descendant  of  the  Pil- 
grims, and  give  their  authoress  a  place  in  many  hearts.  She  has  laid  our  community  under 
a  common  obligation  of  gratitude.  Every  one  must  feel  the  sublimity  and  poetical  truth, 
with  which  she  has  conceived  the  scene  presented,  and  the  inspiration  of  that  deep  and 
holy  strain  of  sentiment,  which  sounds  forth  like  the  pealing  of  an  organ. 

Mrs.  Hemans'  Poetical  Works,  p.  270. 


NEW  ENGLAND. 

BV  J.  G.  PBECIVAL. 

Hail  to  the  land  whereon  we  tread, 

Our  fondest  boast; 
The  sepulchre  of  mighty  dead, 
The  truest  hearts  that  ever  bled, 
Who  sleep  on  Glory's  brightest  bed, 

A  fearless  host : 
No  slave  is  here;  our  unchained  feet 
Walk  freely  as  the  waves  that  beat 

Our  coast. 

Our  fathers  crossed  the  ocean's  wave 

To  seek  this  shore  ; 
They  left  behind  the  coward  slave 
To  welter  in  his  living  grave  ; — 
With  hearts  unbent,  and  spirits  brave, 

They  sternly  bore 
Such  toils  as  meaner  souls  had  quelled; 
But  souls  like  these,  such  toils  impelled 

To  soar. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  53 

Hail  to  the  morn,  when  first  they  stood 

On  Bunker's  height, 
And,  fearless,  stemmed  the  invading  flood, 
And  wrote  our  dearest  rights  in  blood, 
And  mowed  in  ranks  the  hireling  brood, 

In  desperate  fight ! 
O,  'twas  a  proud,  exulting  day, 
For  even  our  fallen  fortunes  lay 

In  light. 

There  is  no  other  land  like  thee, 

No  dearer  shore ; 
Thou  art  the  shelter  of  the  free ; 
The  home,  the  port  of  Liberty, 
Thou  hast  been,  and  shalt  ever  be, 

Till  time  is  o'er. 
Ere  I  forget  to  think  upon 
My  land,  shall  mother  curse  the  son 

She  bore. 

Thou  art  the  firm,  unshaken  rock, 

On  which  we  rest ; 
And,  rising  from  thy  hardy  stock, 
Thy  sons  the  tyrants  frown  shall  mock, 
And  Slavery's  galling  chains  unlock, 

And  free  the  oppressed  : 
All,  who  the  wreath  of  Freedom  twine 
Beneath  the  shadow  of  their  vine, 

Are  blessed. 

We  love  thy  rude  and  rocky  shore, 

And  here  we  stand  — 
Let  foreign  navies  hasten  o'er, 
And  on  our  heads  their  fury  pour, 
And  peal  their  cannon's  loudest  roar, 

And  storm  our  land ; 
5* 


54  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

They  still  shall  find  our  lives  are  given 
To  die  for  home ; —  and  leant  on  Heaven 
Our  hand. 


REMEMBRANCE   OF   THE   PILGRIMS. 

By  a  Member  of  tlie  New  England  Society  of  New  York. 

With  joy  I  heard  them  say 
"When  roving  far  abroad, 
On  this  their  landing  day 
We  '11  praise  the  Pilgrims'  God. 
I  knew  the  cry 
I'll  join  the  song, 
Thy  courts  we  '11  throng 
O  thou  most  High ! 

This  day  let  all  awake, 

And  sing  the  mighty  dead, 
Who,  first,  for  Zion's  sake, 
O'er  raging  oceans  fled. 
Had  not  our  God 
Preserved  that  flock, 
Safe  on  the  rock 
They  ne'er  had  trod. 

At  once  their  temples  rose, 

Our  schools  were  founded  then, 
Nor  could  their  mightier  foes 
Withstand  those  valiant  men : 
But  vain  their  skill, 
And  vain  their  sword, 
Had  not  the  Lord 
Upheld  them  still. 


AIRS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  55 

Peace  to  that  Holy  ground! 

That  consecrated  spot ! 
The  first  our  fathers  found 
Where  tyrants  trouble  not. 
We'  11  sound  abroad, 
Where  e'er  we  roam, 
The  Pilgrims'  home, 
The  Pilgrims'  God ! 


CLARK'S   ISLAND. 

BY  HENRY  B.  GOODWIN. 

Hail  hallowed  spot !  where  Freedom's  rays 
First  darted  o'er  the  wanderer's  ways, 

And  gave  him  rest, 
First  brought  the  dawn  of  brighter  days, 

Thy  shores  are  blest! 

But  dark  the  clouds  that  lingered  round 
The  island  which  the  Pilgrim  found 

In  time  long  gone, 
And  deep  and  drear  the  thrilling  sound 

Of  gathering  storm. 

Aye,  dark  indeed,  whose  night  of  yore, 
That  rocked  the  May-Flower  near  thy  shore 

On  wintry  tides, 
For  dark  the  waves  that  round  thee  roar, 

And  wash  thy  sides.  ' 


56  AIRS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS. 

But  bright  the  star  that  lent  its  ray- 
To  bear  the  Traveller  on  his  way 

From  childhood's  seat, 
That  lighted  up  so  fair  a  day 

For  his  retreat. 

O  who  would  ask  a  holier  bed, 
Than  where  he  laid  his  weary  head, 

And  nobly  slept, 
For  though  the  Pilgrim  long  hath  fled 

His  spirit 's  left. 

Then  hail  the  spot,  where  first  the  sound 
Of  Freedom  shook  the  sacred  ground 

In  early  days, 
And  filled  the  hills  and  forests  round 

With  gladsome  praise. 


ODE. 

Written  for  the  thirty-fourth  Anniversary  of  the  New  England  Society  of  New  Tcrk. 

BY  BUFUS  DAWES. 

Tukb,  God  save  the  King. 

Sons  of  New  England  sires! 
"Why  do  your  altar-fires 

Flame  up  on  high ;  — 
Why  from  your  festal  board, 
Wakes  the  loud  anthem,  pour'd 
Joyous,  with  one  accord, 

Wing'dforthesky?  — 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  57 

Not  for  the  voice  that  spoke 
Triumph  —  when  Britain's  yoke 

Burst  with  your  chains:  — 
Not  for  the  heroes  brave, 
Bleeding  by  Charles's  wave, 
Not  for  the  patriot's  grave, 

Wake  ye  your  strains ;  — 

But  for  the  Pilgrim-band, 
They  who  from  Leyden's  land 

Dared  the  rough  sea ; 
Braving  the  ocean  vast, 
Scorning  the  wintry  blast, 
So  they  might  find,  at  last, 

Room  for  the  free. 

Hark,  how  the  thunder  peals ! 
See,  how  the  brave  ship  reels, 

Whirl'd  in  the  brine  !  — 
Courage !  —  the  God  that  wTears 
Storm-robes,  the  good-man  spares, 
Pilgrim  !  —  he  hears  your  prayers,  — 

Joy  to  your  line  ! 

Nobly  the  May-flower  bows, 
"While  the  dark  wave  she  ploughs 

On  to  the  West ; 
Till,  from  the  tempest's  shock, 
Proudly  she  lands  her  flock, — 
Where  on  old  Plymouth-Rock, 

Freedom  found  rest. 

Lo  !  from  yon  starry  sphere, 
Spirits  in  light  appear, 
Glorious,  but  few  ;  — 


58 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Pilgrims!  —  we  see  you  now  — 
Fathers  !  —  to  you  we  bow  — 
Hear,  then,  your  children's  vow, 
Still  to  be  true. 

Join,  brothers,  heart  and  hand, 
Sons  of  the  Pilgrim-band! 

Swear  now  to  be 
All  that  your  fathers  sought, — 
All  that  their  virtue  wrought, — 
So  shall  your  sons  be  taught 

How  to  be  free ! 


o- 


ODE 

For  the  Celebration  of  the  Landing  of  the  Pilgrims,  by  the  New  England  Society, 
New  York,  December  22d,  1832. 

BY  GRENYILLE  MELLEN,  ESQ. 

Tune,  Iddo. 

Not  all  the  loftiest  memories 

That  rose  on  earlier  days, 
When  with  the  trump,  and  sacrifice, 

And  swelling  pomp  of  praise, 
Men  gather'd  to  their  pillar'd  halls, 

Mid  garlands,  joy  and  wine, 
To  gaze  on  heroes  round  the  walls, 

In  marble  made  divine, — 


AIRS    OF   THE    PILGRIMS.  59 

And  pour  the  deep  libation  there, 

To  victors  pass'd  away ; 
Or  minds,  whose  wonders,  rich  and  rare, 

Pour'd  splendor  on  their  day  — 
Not  all  in  finer  hearts,  can  vie 

With  those  that  summon  here, 
To  lift,  on  Freedom's  clarion  high 

The  anthem  of  our  cheer! 

We  sing  a  nobler  race  than  pass'd 

In  ancient  times  to  glory :  — 
We  sing  of  deeds  that  shall  outlast, 

In  fame,  all  classic  story ; 
Of  men  who  fought  for  God,  and  gave 

Home  for  a  desert  shore  — 
With  hearts  too  panoplied  and  brave 

To  quail  beneath  its  roar ! 

Of  Exiles  of  a  deathless  line, 

And  proud,  unshrinking  brow  ;  — 
Lone  Pilgrims  to  a  rocky  shrine, 

Where  a  people  bends  them  now !  — 
A  rocky  shrine  —  unshelter'd  —  rude  — 

Where  the  wild  wolf  from  his  lair, 
Shriek'd  thro'  the  pathless  solitude, 

And  broke  the  voice  of  prayer ! 

We  sing  of  heroes  who  outdid 

The  boast  of  chivalry : 
Whose  valor  braved  the  shock  amid 

A  stormy  sea  and  sky ; 
Whose  deeds  were  deeds  of  mercy,  done 

To  persecuted  man  — 
Whose  wreaths  were  wreaths  of  triumph,  won 

In  Virtue's  fearless  van ! 


60  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

New  England's  Fathers! — men  who  dar'd 

The  agony  of  years  — 
Whom  pale  Oppression  never  spar'd, 

But  could  not  bow  to  tears  ! 
Who  mid  the  howl  of  winter  fled, 

And  your  banner  here  unfurl'd, 
And  Conscience  in  her  pride  outled 

Unfetter'd  to  the  world  ! 

Pilgrims  of  Glory  !  —  there  shall  rise 
Fast  praise  from  heart  and  tongue 

Of  all.  for  whom  in  sacrifice, 
Like  martyr-saints  ye  sprung;  — 

And  their  children's  children  shall  outpour 
From  echoing  clime  to  clime, 

New  paeans  for  the  toils  ye  bore 

<   In  a  nation's  morning  time. 

Two  hundred  years  their  cloudy  wings 

Expand  above  your  graves, 
And  lo  !  what  wide-flush'd  glory  flings 

O'er  all  New  England's  waves!  — 
Fathers  of  Liberty  ! — to  ye 

We  lift  the  wine-cup  now  — 
Your's  be  the  hallow'd  memory 

That  consecrates  our  vow. 

And  should  the  voice  of  prophecy 

That 's  doom'd  us  to  the  dust, 
Ere  chant  the  requiem  of  the  Free, 

By  tyranny  accurs'd, 
O  be  a  remnant  true  to  her!  — 

Sons  whom  New  England  bore, 
Together  seek  one  sepulchre 

On  Plymouth's  sounding  shore! 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  61 


THE    PILGRIMS. 


BY  MKS.  SIGOURNEY. 


How  slow  yon  tiny  vessel  ploughs  the  main ! 
Amid  the  heavy  billows  now  she  seems 
A  toiling  atom,  —  then  from  wave  to  wave 
Leaps  madly,  by  the  tempest  lashed,  —  or  reels, 
Half  wrecked,  through  gulfs  profound. 

—  Moons  wax  and  wane, 
But  still  that  lonely  traveller  treads  the  deep. — 
I  see  an  ice-bound  coast,  toward  which  she  steers 
With  such  a  tardy  movement,  that  it  seems 
Stern  Winter's  hand  hath  turned  her  keel  to  stone, 
And  sealed  his  victory  on  her  slippery  shrouds. — 
They  land  !  —  They  land !  —  not  like  the  Genoese, 
With  glittering  sword,  and  gaudy  train,  and  eye 
Kindling  with  golden  fancies.  —  Forth  they  come 
From  their  long  prison,  —  hardy  forms,  that  brave 
The  world's  unkindness,  —  men  of  hoary  hair, 
And  virgins  of  firm  heart,  and  matrons  grave, 
Who  hush  the  wailing  infant  with  a  glance. — 
Bleak  Nature's  desolation  wraps  them  round, 
Eternal  forests,  and  unyielding  earth, 
And  savage  men,  who  through  the  thickets  peer 
With  vengeful  arrow.  —  What  could  lure  their  steps 
To  this  drear  desert  ?  —  Ask  of  him  who  left 
His  father's  home  to  roam  through  Haran's  wilds, 
Distrusting  not  the  Guide  who  called  him  forth, 
Nor  doubting,  though  a  stranger,  that  his  seed 
Should  be  as  Ocean's  sands.  — 

But  yon  lone  bark 
Hath  spread  her  parting  sail. 

They  crowd  the  strand, 
Those  few,  lone  pilgrims. —  Can  ye  scan  the  wo 
That  wrings  their  bosoms,  as  the  last  frail  link 
6 


62  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Binding  to  man,  and  habitable  earth. 
Is  severed  ?  —  Can  ye  tell  what  pangs  were  there, 
"What  keen  regrets,  what  sickness  of  the  heart, 
What  yearnings  o'er  their  forfeit  land  of  birth, 
Their  distant  dear  ones  ? 

Long,  with  straining  eye, 
They  watch  the  lessening  speck.  —  Heard  ye  no  shriek 
Of  anguish,  when  that  bitter  loneliness 
Sank  down  into  their  bosoms  ?  —  No !  they  turn 
Back  to  their  dreary,  famished  huts,  and  pray !  — 
Pray,  —  and  the  ills  that  haunt  this  transient  life 
Fade  into  air.  —  Up  in  each  girded  breast 
There  sprang  a  rooted  and  mysterious  strength,  — 
A  loftiness, —  to  face  a  world  in  arms, — 
To  strip  the  pomp  from  sceptres,  —  and  to  lay 
Upon  the  sacred  altar  the  warm  blood 
Of  slain  affections,  when  they  rise  between 
The  soul  and  God. — 

And  can  ye  deem  it  strange 
That  from  their  planting  such  a  branch  should  bloom 
As  nations  envy'?  —  Would  a  germ,  embalmed 
With  prayer's  pure  tear-drops,  strike  no  deeper  root 
Than  that  which  mad  ambition's  hand  doth  strew 
Upon  the  winds,  to  reap  the  winds  again  ? 
Hid  by  its  veil  of  waters  from  the  hand 
Of  greedy  Europe,  their  bold  vine  spread  forth 
In  giant  strength. — 

Its  early  clusters,  crushed 
In  England's  wine-press,  gave  the  tyrant  host 

A  draught  of  deadly  wine. O,  ye  who  boast 

In  your  free  veins  the  blood  of  sires  like  these, 
Lose  not  their  lineaments. —  Should  Mammon  cling 
Too  close  around  your  heart, —  or  wealth  beget 
That  bloated  luxury  which  eats  the  core 
From  manly  virtue,  —  or  the  tempting  world 
Make  faint  the  Christian  purpose  in  your  soul, 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  63 

Turn  ye  to  Plymouth's  beach,  —  and  on  that  rock 
Kneel  in  their  foot-prints,  and  renew  the  vow 
They  breathed  to  God. 


THE   PILGRIM  FATHERS. 


They  come  —  that  coming  who  shall  tell  ? 
The  eye  may  weep,  the  heart  may  swell, 
But  the  poor  tongue  in  vain  essays 
A  fitting  note  for  them  to  raise. 
We  hear  the  after-shout  that  rings 
For  them  who  smote  the  power  of  kings ; 
The  swelling  triumph  all  would  share ; 
But  who  the  dark  defeat  would  dare, 
And  boldly  meet  the  wrath  and  wo, 
That  wait  the  unsuccessful  blow  ! 
It  were  an  envied  fate,  we  deem, 
To  live  a  land's  recorded  theme, 

When  we  are  in  the  tomb. 
We,  too,  might  yield  the  joys  of  home, 
And  waves  of  winter  darkness  roam, 

And  tread  a  shore  of  bloom, 
Knew  we  those  waves,  through  coming  time, 
Should  roll  our  names  to  every  clime; 
Felt  we  that  millions  on  that  shore 
Should  stand,  our  memory  to  adore. 
But  no  glad  vision  burst  in  light 
Upon  the  pilgrims'  aching  sight; 
Their  hearts  no  proud  hereafter  swelled ; 
Deep  shadows  veiled  the  way  they  held ; 


64  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

The  yell  of  vengeance  was  the  trump  of  fame: 
Their  monument,  a  grave  without  a  name. 

Yet,  strong  in  weakness,  there  they  stand, 

On  yonder  ice-bound  rock, 
Stern  and  resolved,  that  faithful  band, 

To  meet  fate's  rudest  shock. 
Though  anguish  rends  ,the  father's  breast, 
For  them,  his  dearest  and  his  best, 

With  him  the  waste  who  trod  — 
Though  tears  that  freeze,  the  mother  sheds 
Upon  her  children's  houseless  heads  — 

The  Christian  turns  to  God ! 

In  grateful  adoration  now, 

Upon  the  barren  sands  they  bow. 

What  tongue  of  joy  e'er  woke  such  prayer 

As  bursts  in  desolation  there ! 

What  arm  of  strength  e'er  wrought  such  power 

As  waits  to  crown  that  feeble  hour ! 

There  into  life  an  infant  empire  springs  ! 
There  falls  the  iron  from  the  soul ; 
There  Liberty's  young  accents  roll 

Up  to  the  King  of  kings  ! 
To  fair  creation's  farthest  bound, 
That  thrilling  summons  yet  shall  sound; 
The  dreaming  nations  shall  awake, 
And  to  their  centre  earth's  old  kingdoms  shake. 
Pontiff  and  prince,  your  sway 
Must  crumble  from  that  day; 
Before  the  loftier  throne  of  Heaven, 
The  hand  is  raised,  the  pledge  is  given, 
One  monarch  to  obey,  one  creed  to  own  — 
That  monarch,  God,  that  creed,  his  word  alone. 

Spread  out  earth's  holiest  records  here, 
Of  days  and  deeds  to  reverence  dear, 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  65 

A  zeal  like  this  what  pious  legends  tell ! 
On  kingdoms  built 
In  blood  and  guilt, 
The  worshippers  of  vulgar  triumph  dwell ; 

But  what  exploits  with  theirs  shall  page, 

Who  rose  to  bless  their  kind, 
Who  left  their  nation  and  their  age, 
Man's  spirit  to  unbind ! 
Who  boundless  seas  passed  o'er, 
And  boldly  met,  in  every  path, 
Famine,  and  frost,  and  heathen  wrath, 

To  dedicate  a  shore, 
Where  Piety's  meek  train  might  breathe  their  vow, 
And  seek  their  Maker  with  an  un  shamed  brow  ; 
Where  Liberty's  glad  race  might  proudly  come, 
And  set  up  there  an  everlasting  home! 
O,  many  a  time  it  hath  been  told, 
The  story  of  those  men  of  old : 
For  this  fair  Poetry  hath  wreathed 

Her  sweetest,  purest  flower ; 
For  this  proud  Eloquence  hath  breathed 

His  strain  of  loftiest  power : 
Devotion,  too,  hath  lingered  round 
Each  spot  of  consecrated  ground, 

And  hill  and  valley  blessed ; 
There,  where  our  banished  fathers  strayed, 
There,  where  they  loved,  and  wept,  and  prayed, 
There,  where  their  ashes  rest. 

And  never  may  they  rest  unsung, 
While  Liberty  can  find  a  tongue. 
Twine,  Gratitude,  a  wreath  for  them, 
More  deathless  than  the  diadem, 
Who  to  life's  noblest  end, 

Gave  up  life's  noblest  powers, 
And  bade  the  legacy  descend, 
Down,  down  to  us  and  ours. 
6* 


66  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


SONG  OF  THE   PILGRIMS. 

BT  T.  C.  TJPHAM. 

The  breeze  has  swelled  the  whitening  sail, 
The  blue  waves  curl  beneath  the  gale, 
And,  bounding  with  the  wave  and  wind, 
We  leave  old  England's  shores  behind. 
Leave  behind  our  native  shore, 
Homes,  and  all  we  loved  before. 

The  deep  may  dash,  the  winds  may  blow, 
The  storm  spread  out  its  wings  of  wo, 
Till  sailors'  eyes  can  see  a  shroud 
Hung  in  the  folds  of  every  cloud ; 
Still,  as  long  as  life  shall  last, 
From  that  shore  we'll  speed  us  fast. 

For  we  would  rather  never  be, 
Than  dwell  where  mind  cannot  be  free, 
But  bows  beneath  a  despot's  rod 
Even  where  it  seeks  to  worship  God. 

Blasts  of  heaven,  onward  sweep ! 

Bear  us  o'er  the  troubled  deep  ! 

O,  see  what  wonders  meet  our  eyes  ! 

Another  land,  and  other  skies  ! 

Columbian  hills  have  met  our  view  ! 

Adieu !  Old  England's  shores,  adieu  ! 
Here,  at  length,  our  feet  shall  rest, 
Hearts  be  free,  and  homes  be  blessed. 

As  long  as  yonder  firs  shall  spread 
Their  green  arms  o'er  the  mountain's  head 
As  long  as  yonder  cliffs  shall  stand, 
Where  join  the  ocean  and  the  land, — 

Shall  those  cliffs  and  mountains  be 

Proud  retreats  for  liberty. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  67 

Now  to  the  King  of  kings  we  '11  raise 
The  paean  loud  of  sacred  praise; 
More  loud  than  sounds  the  swelling  breeze, 
More  loud  than  speak  the  rolling  seas ! 

Happier  lands  have  met  our  view ! 

England's  shores,  adieu!  adieu! 


ORIGINAL  HYMN. 

By  the  Bxv.  S.  Dbanjc,  for  tiie  23d  of  Dec,  IK 
Tune,  Tamworth. 

Lo !  the  rising  star  of  Freedom 

Once  our  pilgrim  fathers  blest; 
By  her  light,  ordained  to  lead  them, 
To  the  land  of  promised  rest. 
Star  of  heaven ! 
Star  of  heaven  ! 
Trav'ling  toward  the  distant  west. 

While  their  countless  toils  enduring, 

Faith  the  promise  kept  in  sight : 

For  themselves  and  sons  securing, 

Home  and  country,  truth  and  light. 

Star  of  heaven ! 

Star  of  heaven ! 

Pointing  to  Jehovah's  might. 

Now  the  relics  round  us  lying, 
Grateful  children  guard  their  clay ! 


68  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

While  their  spirits,  never  dying, 
Hope  has  borne  on  wings  away : 

Star  of  heaven ! 

Star  of  heaven ! 
Guiding  to  a  brighter  day. 

Raise  we  honors  to  their  merit, 

Temples  sculptured  with  their  name  ! 
No !  their  virtues  to  inherit, 

Seals  their  bright  and  conscious  fame. 
Star  of  heaven ! 
Star  of  heaven ! 
High  they  shine  with  ceaseless  flame. 

See  the  lights  around  us  gleaming, 
Still  to  guide  the  pilgrims'  eyes : 
See  the  star  of  empire  beaming, 
Bids  their  children's  glory  rise. 
Star  of  heaven ! 
Star  of  heaven ! 
Glowing  still  in  western  skies. 


SONG. 

When  this  old  chair  was  new, 

The  manners  of  the  times, 
I  now  will  bring  to  view, 

Take  heed  unto  my  rhymes. 
One  hundred  years  and  more, 

If  history  be  true, 
Since  our  forefathers  came  ashore, 

When  this  old  chair  was  new. 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  69 

They  reared  an  humble  roof, 

All  pleasant  to  the  sight, 
Their  ship  was  far  aloof, 

It  caught  on  fire  at  night. 
Cold  lodgings  on  the  ground, 

Oft  made  their  hearts  to  rue, 
"While  deadly  arrows  flew  around 

When  this  old  ehair  was  new. 

No  neighborhood  was  theirs 

Save  natives  of  the  land, 
And  many  wants  and  cares, 

And  winter  was  at  hand. 
Good  neighborhood's  sincerity, 

They  never  failed  to  show, 
Their  daily  word  was  verity 

When  this  old  chair  was  new. 

4 

Their  bread  on  waters  cast, 

In  future  blessings  found, 
While  hardships  knit  'em  fast 

Still  bade  'em  yet  abound. 
Full  humble  were  their  meals, 

Their  dainties  very  few, 
'T  was  only  groundnuts,  clams  or  eels, 

When  this  old  chair  was  new. 

Their  greeting  very  soft, 

Good  morrow  very  kind, 
How  sweet  it  sounded  oft, 

Before  we  were  refined. 
Humility  their  care, 

Their  failings  very  few, 
My  heart!  how  kind  their  manners  were, 

When  this  old  chair  was  new. 


70  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

THE   PILGRIM'S   VISION. 

Composed  for  the  Celebration  at  Plymouth,  Dec.  22d,  1846. 

BT  OLITKB  WENDELL  HOLMES. 

In  the  hour  of  twilight  shadows 

The  Puritan  looked  out ; 
He  thought  of  the  '  bloody  Salvages ' 

That  lurked  all  round  about  — 
Of  Wituwawmet's  pictured  knife, 

And  Pecksuot's  whooping  shout; 
For  the  baby's  flesh  was  tender, 

Though  his  father's  arms  were  stout. 

His  home  was  a  freezing  cabin, 

Too  bare  for  the  hungry  rat ; 
Its  roof  was  thatched  with  ragged  grass, 

And  bald  enough  of  that. 
The  hole  that  served  for  casement 

Was  glazed  with  an  ancient  hat ; 
And  the  ice  was  gently  thawing 

From  the  log  whereon  he  sat. 

Along  the  dreary  landscape, 

His  eyes  went  to  and  fro  ; 
The  trees  all  clad  in  icicles, 

The  streams  that  did  not  flow. 
A  sudden  thought  flashed  o'er  him  — 

A  dream  of  long  ago  — 
He  smote  his  leathern  jerkin, 

And  murmured,  *  Even  so  ! ' 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS.  71' 

'  Come  hither,  God-be- Glorified, 

And  sit  upon  my  knee; 
Behold  the  dream  unfolding, 

Whereof  I  spake  to  thee 
By  the  winter's  hearth,  in  Leyden, 

And  on  the  stormy  sea, 
True  is  the  dream's  beginning, 

So  may  its  ending  be! 

'  I  saw  in  the  naked  /orest, 

Our  scattered  remnant  cast ; 
A  screen  of  shivering  branches 

Between  them  and  the  blast ; 
The  snow  was  falling  round  them, 

The  dying  fell  as  fast ; 
I  looked  to  see  them  perish, 

When,  lo !  the  vision  passed. 

'  Again  mine  eyes  were  opened, 

The  feeble  had  waxed  strong; 
The  babes  had  grown  to  sturdy  men, 

The  remnant  was  a  throng. 
By  shadowed  lake,  and  winding  stream, 

And  all  the  shores  along, 
The  howling  demons  quaked  to  hear 

The  Christian's  godly  song. 

'  They  slept  —  the  village  fathers  — 

By  river,  lake,  and  shore  ; 
When,  far  adown  the  steep  of  time, 

The  vision  rose  once  more. 
I  saw,  along  the  winter  snow, 

A  spectral  column  pour ; 
And,  high  above  their  broken  ranks, 

A  tattered  flag  they  bore. 


72  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  Their  leader  rode  before  them, 

Of  bearing  calm  and  high  ; 
The  light  of  Heaven's  own  kindling 

Throned  in  his  awful  eye. 
These  were  a  Nation's  champions, 

Her  dread  appeal  to  try  ; 
God  for  the  right!  I  faltered, 

And,  lo !  the  train  passed  by. 

'  Once  more  —  the  strife  was  ended, 

The  solemn  issue  tried  ; 
The  Lord  of  Hosts,  his  mighty  arm 

Had  helped  our  Israel's  side. 
Gray  stone,  and  grassy  hillock, 

Told  where  the  martyrs  died; 
And  peace  was  in  the  borders 

Of  Victory's  chosen  bride. 

4  A  crash  —  as  when  some  swollen  cloud 

Cracks  o'er  the  tangled  trees ! 
With  side  to  side,  and  spar  to  spar, 

Whose  smoking  decks  are  these? 
I  know  St.  George's  blood-red  cross, 

Thou  Mistress  of  the  Seas, 
But  who  is  she  whose  streaming  bars 

Roll  out  before  the  breeze  ? 

( Ah,  well  her  iron  ribs  are  knit, 

Whose  thunders  strive  to  quell 
The  bellowing  throats,  the  blazing  lips 

That  pealed  the  Armada's  knell ! 
The  mist  was  cleared  —  a  wreath  of  stars 

Rose  o'er  the  crimsoned  swell, 
And  wavering  from  its  haughty  peak, 

The  cross  of  England  fell ! 


AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 


73 


Oh  trembling  Faith  !  though  dark  the  morn, 

A  heavenly  torch  is  thine  ; 
While  feebler  races  melt  away, 

And  paler  orbs  decline, 
Shall  still  the  fiery  pillar's  ray 

Along  thy  path-way  shine, 
To  light  the  chosen  tribe  that  sought 

This  Western  Palestine. 

I  see  the  living  tide  roll  on, 

It  crowns  with  flaming  towers 
The  icy  cape  of  Labrador, 

The  Spaniard's  •  land  of  flowers,' 
It  streams  beyond  the  splintered  ridge 

That  parts  the  northern  shores, 
From  Eastern  rock  to  sunset  wave 

The  Continent  is  ours  !' 

He  ceased  —  the  grim  old  Puritan — 

Then  softly  bent  to  cheer 
The  pilgrim-child  whose  wasting  face 

Was  meekly  turned  to  hear  ; 
And  drew  his  toil-worn  sleeve  across, 

To  brush  the  manly  tear 
From  cheeks  that  never  changed  in  wo, 

And  never  blanched  in  fear. 


The  weary  pilgrim  slumbers, 

His  resting  place  unknown; 
His  hands  were  crossed,  his  lids  were  closed, 

The  dust  was  o'er  him  strown, 
The  drifting  soil,  the  mouldering  leaf 

Along  the  sod  were  blown, 
His  mound  has  melted  into  earth, 

His  memory  lives  alone. 

7 


74  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

So  let  it  live  unfading, 

The  memory  of  the  dead, 
Long  as  the  pale  anemone 

Springs  where  their  tears  were  shed, 
Or  raining  in  the  summer's  wind, 

In  flakes  of  burning  red, 
The  wild  rose  sprinkles  with  its  leaves 

The  turf  where  once  they  bled  ! 

Yea,  when  the  frowning  bulwarks 

That  guard  this  holy  strand 
Have  sunk  beneath  the  trampling  surge 

In  beds  of  sparkling  sand, 
While  in  the  waste  of  ocean, 

One  hoary  rock  shall  stand, 
Be  this  its  latest  legend  — 

Here  was  the  Pilgrim's  Land  ! 


-O- 


ODE. 

COMPOSED  BY  BEY.  SAMUEL  GILMAX,  OF  CHABLESTOWN,  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

Aib,  Believe  me  if  all  those  endearing  yovng  charms. 

New  England  !  receive  the  heart's  tribute  that  comes 

From  thine  own  Pilgrim-sons  far  away, 
More  fondly  than  ever  our  thoughts  turn  to  thee, 

Upon  this  thine  old  Festival  Day. 
We  would  rescue  with  social  observance  and  song, 

Awhile  from  oblivions  grave, 
The  lov'd  scenes  of  our  youth,  and  those  blessings  recall 

Which  our  Country  and  Forefathers  gave. 


AIRS    OP    THE    PILGRIMS.  75 

We  have  gazed  on  thy  mountains  that  whitened  the  sky, 

Or  have  roved  on  thy  tempest-worn  shore; 
We  have  breathed  thy  keen  air  or  have  felt  thy  bright  fires, 

While  we  listened  to  legends  of  yore. 
We  have  gathered  thy  nuts  in  the  mild  autumn  sun, 

And  the  grey  squirrel  chas'd  thro'  thy  woods, 
From  thy  red  and  gold  orchards  have  plucked  the  ripe  store, 

And  have  bath'd  in  thy  clear-rolling  floods. 

When  thy  snows  have  descended  in  soft  feather'd  showers, 

Or  hurtled  along  in  the  storm, 
We  have  welcomed  alike  with  our  faces  and  hearts, 

Its  beauteous  or  terrible  form. 
We  have  skimm'd  o'er  thine  ice  with  the  fleetness  of  wind, 

We  have  rear'd  the  thick  snow-castle's  wall, 
And  have  acted  our  part  in  the  combat  that  raged 

With  the  hard-pressed  and  neatly-form'd  ball. 

We  remember  the  way  to  those  school-houses  well, 

That  bedeck  every  mile  of  thy  land, 
We  have  lov'd  thy  sweet  Sabbaths  that  bade  in  repose, 

The  plough  in  its  mid-furrow  stand. 
We  have  joined  in  thy  hymns  and  thy  anthems,  that  swell'd 

Through  Religion's  oft  visited  dome, 
We  have  blest  thy  thanksgivings,  that  summon'd  from  far, 

The  long-parted  family  home. 

Can  distance  efface,  or  can  time  ever  dim 

Remembrances  crowding  like  these, 
That  have  grown  with  our  growth,  and  have  minister'd  strength, 

As  the  roots  send  up  life  to  the  trees  ? 
Then  be  honor'd  the  day,  when  the  Mayflower  came, 

And  honor'd  the  charge  that  she  bore, 
The  stern,  the  religious,  the  glorious  men, 

Whom  she  set  on  our  rough  native  shore. 


76  AIRS    OF    THE    PILGRIMS. 

New  England,  advance  in  thine  onward  career, 

With  thine  inborn,  all  conquering  will: 
Still  triumph  o'er  Nature's  unkindliest  forms 

By  thine  energy,  patience,  and  skill. 
Thou  shalt  grow  to  thy  height  as  thou  ever  hast  grown, 

O'er  the  storms  of  ephemeral  strife, 
And  thy  spirit,  undying,  shall  cease  not  to  be 

The  deep  germ  of  a  Continent's  life. 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX   A. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  merchant  adventurers  of  London, 
whose  names  were  subscribed  to  the  agreement,  between  them  and 
the  Plymouth  Colony,  dated  November  15th,  1626. 


John  White, 
John  Pocock, 
Robert  Kean, 
Edward  Bass, 
William  Hobson, 
William  Pennington, 
William  Quarles, 
Daniel  Pointon, 
Richard  Andrews, 
Newman  Rooks, 
Henry  Browning, 
Richard  Wright, 
John  King, 
Thomas  Goffe, 
In  all  forty  two. 


Samuel  Sharp, 
Robert  Holland, 
James  Shirley, 
Thomas  Mott, 
Thomas  Fletcher, 
Timothy  Hatherly, 
Thomas  Brewer, 
John  Thornell, 
Myles  Knowles, 
William  Collier, 
John  Revell, 
Peter  Gudburn, 
Emnu  Alltham, 
John  Beauchamp, 


Thomas  Hudson, 
Thomas  Andrews, 
Thomas  Ward, 
Fria  Newbald, 
Thomas  Heath, 
Joseph  Tilden, 
William  Penrin, 
Eliza  Knight, 
Thomas  Coventry, 
Robert  Allden, 
Lawrence  Anthony, 
John  Knight, 
Matthew  Thornhill, 
Thomas  Millsop. 


DESCRIPTION    OP  WEIR'S    PAINTING    OF    THE    EMBARKATION    AT 
LETDEN. 

An  obliging  correspondent  has  furnished  the  following  description 
of  Weir's  painting  of  the  embarkation. 

The  scene  is  laid  on  the  deck  of  the  vessel.    Mr  Robinson,  their 
pastor,  is  making  the  parting  prayer  just  before  her  departure. 
•7* 


H  APPENDIX 


with  their  wives,  form  the  centre  group  of  the  picture. 

On  the  right,  Miles  Standish,  the  soldier,  with  his  wife  Rose,  who 
found  an  early  grave  in  the  new  country. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  White,  the  parents  of  Peregrine,  the  first  child  born 
in  the  Colony,  on  the  left. 

Beyond  the  centre  group,  Mr.  Fuller  is  seen  parting  from  his  wife, 
who  remains  behind. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winslow,  a  newly  married  couple,  were  traveling 
on  the  continent  at  the  time  Mr.  Robinson  was  preaching  in  Hol- 
land ;  were  so  much  pleased  with  him,  they  joined  the  company  and 
came  out  with  them. 

A  boy  leaning  over  the  side  of  the  vessel,  belonging  to  Mr.  Wins- 
low's  family,  wears  a  silver  canteen,  which  bears  the  initials  E.  W., 
now  in  existence. 

Captain  Reynolds  in  the  back  ground,  orders  a  sailor  on  board 
with  the  cradle  in  which  Peregrine  was  rocked.  His  face  ex- 
pressive of  double  meaning,  as  it  is  said  he  had  been  bribed  not  to 
bring  the  company  out. 

The  crew  which  probably  saved  the  vessel,  lies  in  the  foreground, 
with  a  group  of  armor,  match  locks,  &c. 

Various  figures,  members  of  the  different  families,  fill  up  the  pic- 
ture.   Mr.  Robinson  remained  behind. 

Spectators  on  the  wharf  could  not  refrain  from  tears  at  the  '  sad 
and  mournful  parting.' 

The  picture  is  true  to  the  minutest  particular,  in  costume,  and  in 
color,  to  the  '  sad  colors '  of  the  time,  and  taste  of  the  Pilgrims ;  with 
some  exception  for  Mrs.  Winslow,  who  being  a  bride,  and  of  the 
wealthier  class,  was  dressed  accordingly. 

The  whole  picture  is  true  to  nature  and  the  character  of  the  scene. 

It  was  on  board  the  Speedwell,  and  that  small  vessel  held  the 
germ  of  a  republic. 


appendix.  iii 


APPENDIX  C.      Page  82. 

The  seventh  chapter  of  the  foregoing  pages  having  been  copied 
by  permission,  from  an  original  volume  in  the  Library  of  Harvard 
University,  some  account  of  it  may  be  acceptable  to  the  reader. 
This  work  has  always  been  called  Mourt's  Relation,  and  was  pub- 
lished in  1622  by  John  Bellamy  of  London,  and  the  preface  is 
signed  by  G.  Mourt,  which  may  be  found  entire,  copied  by  Dr. 
Young  into  his  Chronicles  of  the  Pilgrims.  In  the  Chronicles,  page 
113,  will  also  be  found  the  conclusions  of  Dr.  Young  respecting  the 
real  authors  of  Mourt's  Journal  in  the  following  words :  '  Who  was 
G.  Mourt  ?  From  his  preface  it  appears,  that  he  was  a  person  inter- 
ested in  the  success  of  the  Plymouth  Colony,  identifying  himself 
with  it,  having  '  much  desired '  to  embark  with  the  first  colonists, 
and  intending  soon  to  go  over  and  join  them.  It  is  also  evident 
that  he  had  friendly  and  intimate  relations  with  some  of  them,  and 
that  he  was  one  in  whom  they  reposed  such  entire  confidence  as  to 
send  their  first  despatches  of  letters  and  journals.  The  only  indi- 
vidual answering  this  description  that  I  can  ascertain,  is  George 
Morton,  who  had  married  a  sister  of  Gov.  Bradford,  and  came  over 
to  Plymouth  in  July,  1623,  in  the  first  vessel  that  sailed  for  the  Col- 
ony after  this  journal  was  printed.  He  is  represented  in  the  Memo- 
rial, p.  101,  as  very  faithful  in  whatever  public  employment  he  was 
betrusted  withal,  and  an  unfeigned  well  wisher  and  promoter  of  the 
common  good  and  growth  of  the  plantation  of  New  Plymouth. 
Mourt  might  have  been  written  designedly  for  Morton,  from  a  disin- 
clination on  his  part  to  have  his  name  appear  in  print,  or  it  may 
have  been  a  mistake  of  the  printer,  the  final  letters  from  some 
flourish  of  the  pen  or  otherwise,  not  being  distinctly  legible.  Several 
other  typographical  errors,  more  important  than  this,  occur  in  the 
journal.'  From  a  thorough  examination  of  the  whole  subject,  Dr. 
Young  adopts  the  conclusion,  that  the  letter  signed  Pv.  G.  was  from 
Robert  Cushman,  and  that  the  journal  was  written  '  by  Bradford 
and  Winslow,  chiefly  by  the  former.' 


IV  APPENDIX 


APPENDIX   D.     Page   133. 

In  1645.  It  appears  from  the  Old  Colony  Records,  that  Mr. 
John  Beauchamp,  one  of  the  merchant  adventurers,  of  London, 
authorized,  by  power  of  attorney,  Mr.  Edward  Freeman,  senior,  of 
Sandwich,  to  settle  with  the  undertakers  of  the  trade,  who  had 
mortgaged  their  estates  for  security  of  the  company  debts.  These 
were  Edward  Winslow,  William  Bradford,  John  Alden,  Isaac 
Allerton,  Thomas  Prince,  and  Myles  Standish.  Under  date  of 
1652,  the  following  statement  appears.  Account  of  Beauchamp, 
houses  and  lands  sold  by  Edward  Freeman,  and  "William  Paddy. 
Mr.  Bradford's  lands  at  Sekonke,  £12.  Mr.  Winslow's  houses  at 
Plymouth,  sold  to  Mr.  Paddy,  Plymouth,  £26.  10s.  Mr.  Prence's 
house  at  Plymouth,  and  five  acres  of  land  at  Second  Brook,  £32. 
Mr.  Allerton's  house,  south  side  of  High  (now  Summer)  street,  sold 
to  Thomas  Willet  for  £700.  Prence's  farm  at  Jones  River  sold  to 
Willet  and  Paddy  for  T.  Cushman,  who  exchanged  land  at  Sowams 
for  it.  It  was  first  owned  by  Allerton,  £75.  Eleven  acres,  by  John 
Barnes,  which  was  Allerton's  improved  by  Prence,  £12.  Alden's 
and  Standish's  land  at  South  River,  Marshfield,  sold  to  Arthur 
Howland  and  Thomas  Chillingworth,  £46.  The  amount  of  Mr. 
Beauchamp's  estate  was  £353.  Is.  9d.  Amount  of  sales  £210.  10s  ; 
the  loss  being  £142.  Is.  9d. 

The  mortgage  of  the  above  lands  in  1645,  to  Mr.  Beauchamp,  by 
the  undertakers,  was  a  mutual  and  satisfactory  adjustment,  between 
the  parties  concerned,  and  was  doubtless  the  source  of  much  em- 
barrassment to  the  planters.  In  relation  to  this  subject,  the  remarks 
of  Capt.  John  Smith,  whose  romantic  early  history,  both  in  Europe 
and  Virginia,  are  so  well  known,  affords  a  valuable  and  impartial 
testimony,  to  the  honorable  conduct  of  our  fathers. .  '  These  disasters, 
losses,  and  uncertainties,  (referring  to  the  first  winter's  hardships  of 
the  Pilgrims,)  made  such  disagreements  among  the  adventurers  in 
England,  who  began  to  repent,  and  rather  lose  all,  than  longer  con- 
tinue the  charge,  being  out  of  purse  6  or  7,000  pounds,  accounting 
my  books  and  their  relations  as  old  almanacks.    But  the  planters, 


APPENDIX.  V 

rather  than  leave  the  country,  concluded  absolutely  to  supply  them- 
selves, and  to  all  their  adventurers  pay  them  for  nine  years  two 
hundred  pounds  yearly,  without  any  further  account ;  where  more 
than  six  hundred  adventurers  for  Virginia,  for  more  than  two  hun- 
dred thousand  pounds,  had  not  six  pence.' 

~D,  page  149. 

The  population  of  New  England,  in  1675,  according  to  the  best 
authorities,  was  not  far  from  50,000,  and  the  citizens  capable  of 
bearing  arms  one  fifth  of  that  number,  or  10,000.  On  the  adjust- 
ment of  accounts,  by  the  commissioners,  between  the  colonies,  after 
the  war  had  terminated,  Plymouth  was  adjuged  to  pay  £1 ,000  to 
Massachusetts,  in  part  for  her  disbursements  beyond  her  required 
proportion.  From  a  statement  in  the  appendix  of  Judge  Davis' 
edition  of  New  England's  Memorial,  it  appears  that  the  towns  in 
the  Old  Colony  expended  on  account  of  the  war  £3,692.  16s.  2d. 
The  whole  expense  incurred  by  all  the  Colonies  was  estimated  at 
more  than  100,000  pounds,  exclusive  of  losses  by  fire  and  pillage. 
Dr.  Trumbul  in  his  history  observes,  respecting  the  loss  of  property 
and  life  in  the  contest  with  Philip,  '  that  about  600  of  the  inhabitants 
of  New  England,  most  of  whom  were  the  flower  and  strength  of  the 
country,  fell  in  battle  or  were  murdered  by  the  enemy.  Twelve  or 
thirteen  towns  in  Massachusetts,  Plymouth,  and  Rhode  Island,  were 
utterly  destroyed,  and  others  greatly  damaged.  About  600  build- 
ings, chiefly  dwelling  houses,  were  consumed  with  fire.  An  almost 
insuperable  debt  was  contracted  by  the  Colony,  when  their  numbers, 
dwellings,  goods,  cattle,  and  all  their  resources  were  greatly  dimin- 
ished.' 


APPENDIX   F.     Page  287. 

Cape  Cod  was  discovered  by  Bartholomew  Gosnold,  on  the  15th 
of  May,  1602,  and  was  visited  by  Henry  Hudson,  in  Aug.,  1609,  and 
by  Capt.  John  Smith  in  1614.  It  was  named  by  Gosnold,  from  the 
abundance  of  codfish  taken  in  its  neighborhood.    Its  harbor  is  con- 


VI  APPENDIX. 

sidered  one  of  the  best  on  the  New  England  coast  for  vessels 
of  every  size.  The  infamous  conduct  of  Capt.  Hunt,  (so  indignantly 
condemned  by  Smith,)  in  kidnapping  27  of  the  natives,  in  1614,  had 
justly  incensed  the  tribe  of  Nauset,  to  which  place  5  of  them 
belonged.  To  this  cause  their  hostile  conduct  towards  the  Pilgrims 
may  properly  be  ascribed,  for  it  appears  that  afterwards,  when  ex- 
planations were  made  by  the  Pilgrims,  disclaiming  any  participation 
in  the  conduct  of  Hunt,  friendly  relations  existed,  which  were  rarely 
interrupted.  Cape  Cod,  Nantucket  and  New  Bedford,  have  been 
distinguished  for  the  nautical  skill  and  enterprise  of  their  citizens, 
unsurpassed  by  any  equal  population  in  the  world,  and  by 
our  wisest  statesmen,  have,  been  regarded  as  the  main  supports 
of  our  naval  strength.  On  this  subject,  Edmund  Burk,  in  1774, 
addressing  the  House  of  Commons  on  American  affairs,  pronounced 
an  eulogy  deserving  of  grateful  remembrance.  '  No  sea,  but  what 
is  vexed  by  their  fisheries.  No  climate,  that  is  not  witness  of  their 
toils.  Neither  the  perseverance  of  Holland,  nor  the  activity  of 
France,  nor  the  dexterous  and  firm  sagacity  of  English  enterprise, 
ever  carried  their  most  perilous  mode  of  hardy  industry  to  the 
extent  to  which  it  has  been  pursued  by  this  recent  people ;  a  people 
who  are  still  in  the  gristle,  and  not  hardened  into  manhood.' 

The  population  of  Cape  Cod  is  32,548 ;  Nantucket,  9,012;  Dukes 
county,  3,958 ;  New  Bedford,  12,087.    Aggregate,  57,605. 


Appendix  to  the  History  of  the  First  Church.     Page  149. 

The  first  volume  of  the  church  records  embraces  the  history  of 
the  Leyden  Church  from  its  earliest  date,  compiled  by  Secretary 
Morton,  to  the  year  of  the  Rev.  John  Cotton's  settlement,  1667. 
They  were  then  continued  by  him  till  his  dismission  in  1697,  and 
afterwards  by  Mr.  Little,  his  successor,  to  the  year  1723,  and  by  Mr. 
Leonard  to  1732.  The  second  volume  was  continued  by  Mr.  Leon- 
ard and  succeeding  pastors  to  the  present  time.  In  the  first  volume 
of  these  records,  under  the  date  of  1697,  Mr.  Cotton  records  in  de- 
tail the  practice  of  that  time  and  previously  existing  respecting  the 


APPENDIX.  Vll 

questions  propounded  to  individuals  before  their  admission  as 
members  in  full  communion  with  the  church. 

The  following  lines  are  contained  in  the  church  records  under  the 
date  of  1626,  being  the  first  poetical  composition  on  record. 

A  few  poems  made  by  a  friend  on  the  deplored  death  of  Mr.  John 
Robinson  the  worthy  pastour  of  the  church  of  Leyden  as  followeth  : 

1  Blessed  Robinson  hath  Run  his  Race 
from  earth  to  heaven  is  Gone, 

to  be  with  Christ  in  heavenly  place, 
the  blessed  saints  among. 

2  A  burning  and  a  shining  light, 
was  hee  whiles  hee  was  heer 

a  preacher  of  the  gospel  Bright 
whom  we  did  love  most  deer, 

3  "What  tho  hees  dead  his  workes  alive 
and  live  will  to  all  Aye 

The  comfort  of  them  pleasant  is 
To  living  saints  each  day 

4  Oh  blessed  holy  saviour 
the  fountain  of  all  grace 

from  whom  such  blessed  instruments 
are  sent  and  Run  their  Race 

5  To  lead  us  to  and  guide  us  in 
the  way  to  happiness 

That  soe  oh  lord  we  may  alwaies 
forevermore  more  confess 

6  That  whosoever  Gospel  preacher  be 
or  waterer  of  the  same 

wee  may  always  most  constantly 
Give  Glory  to  thy  Name. 


V1H  APPENDIX. 

The  following  account  of  the  Rev.  Kichard  Clifton,  who  was 
pastor  with  Mr.  Robinson  of  the  church  of  Leyden,  at  the  time  of 
its  earliest  establishment  in  the  north  of  England,  is  taken  from  the 
church  records,  and  was  penned  by  Gov.  Bradford  in  his  dialogue, 
the  whole  of  which  document  may  be  found  in  Dr.  Young's  Chron- 
icles of  the  Pilgrims. 

'  Richard  Clifton  was  a  grave  and  fatherly  old  man  when  he  came 
first  into  Holland,  having  a  great  white  beard :  and  pity  it  was  that 
such  a  reverend  old  man  should  be  forced  to  leave  his  country  and 
at  those  years  to  go  into  exile.  But  it  was  his  lot ;  and  he  bore  it 
patiently.  Much  good  had  he  done  in  the  country  where  he  lived, 
and  converted  many  to  God  by  his  faithful  and  painful  ministry, 
both  in  preaching  and  catechising.  Sound  and  orthodox  he  always 
was,  and  so  continued  to  his  end.  He  belonged  to  the  church  at 
Leyden ;  but  being  settled  at  Amsterdam,  and  thus  aged,  he  was 
loath  to  remove  any  more ;  and  so  when  they  removed,  he  was 
dismissed  to  them  there,  and  there  remained  until  he  died.  Thus 
have  we  briefly  satisfied  your  desire.'. 

The  following  extract  is  from  the  church  records.  '  In  January 
1669.  The  church  agreed  to  begin  monthly  church  meetings  for 
conference,  which  were  constantly  attended  for  many  years,  and 
much  good  attended  that  exercise.  Also  in  November  began  the 
catechising  of  the  children  by  the  Pastor  (the  Elder  also  accompa- 
nying him  therein  constantly)  once  a  fortnight,  the  males  at  one 
time  and  the  females  at  the  other.  The  cathechism  there  used  was 
Mr.  Perkin's.'  In  this  ancient  practice  of  pilgrim  times,  we  may 
perhaps  discern  the  origin  of  our  present  Sunday  school  institutions. 
The  improvements  of  modern  times  consist  in  bringing  into  active 
service  the  laymen,  as  well  as  pastors  and  officers  of  the  church,  by 
which  means  large  numbers  of  children,  arranged  in  separate  classes, 
may  be  more  thoroughly  instructed,  while  those  who  act  as  teachers 
become  intelligent  expositors  of  the  scriptures,  and  efficient  advo- 
cates of  Christianity  in  our  land. 

In  connection  with  the  Ecclesiastical  history  of  the  First  church 
of  Plymouth,  a  fit  occasion  seems  presented  to  offer  some  brief 
remarks  in  relation  to  the  views  expressed  by  Mr.  Sumner  respect- 


APPENDIX.  IX 

ing  the  farewell  discourse  of  Robinson  to  that  part  of  the  Ley  den 
church  which  was  about  to  embark  from  Dclfthaven  to  America. 
This  discourse  was  preserved  in  its  essential  features  by  Winslow 
in  his  brief  narration  published  in  the  year  1646 ;  and  no  one  before 
Mr.  Sumner  known  to  the  writer,  has  attempted  to  discredit  his 
authority.  Mr.  Sumner  thus  expresses  his  doubts:  The  original 
authority  for  this  statement  (the  statement  respecting  attentions 
shown  at  the  grave  of  Robinson)  would  appear  to  be  Winslow; 
who  was  not  however  in  Holland  at  the  time  of  Robinson's  death, 
but  in  Plymouth,  and  who  could  only  speak  from  hearsay.  For  a 
point  of  greater  importance  than  this,  it  might  be  well  to  enquire 
how  far  a  book  written  under  the  circumstances  of  the  Brief  Narra- 
tion— an  advocate  defending  his  client  —  may  be  safely  relied  upon 
as  historical  authority;'  —  and  again  Mr.  Sumner  doubtingly  en- 
quires, '  Was  that  sermon  ever  preached  by  Robinson  ?  The  only 
authority  which  can  be  found  for  it  is  Winslow ;  and  he  gives  in  an 
informal  manner,  twenty-six  years  after  the  time  when  the  discourse 
was  supposed  to  have  been  pronounced,  that  which  forms  the 
ground-work  of  the  sermon  of  Mather,  Neal  and  others.'  Winslow 
after  stating  his  object  in  reply  to  Gorton,  says  among  other  re- 
marks, 'Whereunto  is  added  a  Brief  Narration  (occasioned  by 
certain  aspersions)  of  the  true  grounds  or  cause  of  the  planting  of 
New  England.'  Now  is  it  not  an  unwarrantable  assumption,  that 
because  Winslow  was  agent  of  the  Massachusetts  Colony,  his 
statements  respecting  the  Leydcn  church  and  Robinson's  discourse 
are  not  to  be  trusted  ?  The  utmost  fidelity  to  his  trust  as  agent  of 
Massachusetts  required  no  misstatements  respecting  a  matter  hav- 
ing no  necessary  connection  with  that  trust ;  and  as  to  the  '  informal 
manner,'  of  which  Mr.  Sumner  speaks,  it  is  quite  difficult  to  per- 
ceive why  it  is  so  denominated.  Gov.  Bradford  relates  in  a  more 
general  manner  than  Winslow  the  account  of  Robinson's  farewell 
address,  and  says,  'he  (Robinson)  spent  a  good  part  of  the  day 
very  profitably  and  suitably,  to  their  present  occasion.'  Thus  far 
no  discrepancy  is  perceptible  between  the  respective  authorities  of 
Winslow  and  Bradford.  There  seems  no  just  ground  to  doubt, 
that  both  Winslow  and  Bradford  allude  to  the  same  interesting 


X  APPENDIX. 

occasion,  and  the  text,  though  probably  from  Ezra  the  8th  21  st,  is 
but  of  secondary  importance.  The  sentiments  of  the  discourse  as 
preserved  by  Winslow  in  which  Robinson  used  these  '  expressions 
or  words  to  the  same  purpose,'  have  justly  been  regarded  as  highly 
to  his  honor,  and  far  beyond  the  narrow  bigotry  of  the  age  in  which 
they  were  advanced.  Winslow  while  agent  for  Massachusetts  was 
highly  esteemed  by  the  prevailing  power  in  England,  and  no 
temptation  existed  sufficient  to  induce  a  departure  from  truth  in  his 
statements ;  and  if  such  temptation  had  existed,  no  one  would  have 
been  more  prompt  to  resist  its  influence.  Mr.  Sumner  in  a  note  to 
his  Memoirs,  page  — ,  appears  to  doubt  the  authority  of  Gov.  Brad- 
ford's statement  respecting  the  reasons  which  induced  Robinson's 
church  to  remove  from  Amsterdam  to  Leyden.  Gov.  Bradford 
says  '  their  removal  was  occasioned  principally  by  the  fear  of  some 
contentions  existing  in  another  English  church  at  Amsterdam,' 
which  things  they  prudently  foreseeing,  thought  it  was  best  to 
remove  before  they  were  any  way  engaged  with  the  same ;  though 
they  well  knew  it  would  be  much  to  the  prejudice  of  their  outward 
estate,  both  at  present,  and,  in  likelihood,  in  the  future,  as  indeed  it 
proved  to  be.'  To  which  Mr.  Sumner  thus  replies :  '  This  may  be 
so ;  yet  Leyden  was  the  principal  manufacturing  town  of  the  Neth- 
erlands, and  one  of  the  most  important  in  Europe.'  Why  should 
not  Gov.  Bradford,  well  acquainted  as  he  was  with  the  church,  have 
been  perfectly  competent  to  decide  a  question  of  this  kind,  as  to 
which  of  two  cities  was  best  adapted  to  their  various  capacities  for 
business  1  If  some  of  the  pilgrims  were  weavers,  most  of  them  had 
been  accustomed  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  for  variety  of  occu- 
pation, a  flourishing  commercial  city  like  that  of  Amsterdam,  at  the 
period  in  question,  would  have  seemed  the  more  eligible.  It  so 
appeared  to  Got.  Bradford  and  his  brethren  of  the  church,  who 
certainly  could  have  had  no  conceivable  motive  for  stating  anything 
but  facts,  in  relation  to  this  matter.  It  is  reasonable  to  conclude' 
therefore,  that  he  was  at  that  time  a  far  better  judge  of  this  affair 
than  one  could  expect  to  find,  after  the  lapse  of  more  thnn  two 
centuries.  The  indefatigable  labors  of  Mr.  Sumner  have  been  the 
subject  of  just  commendation ;  and  these  remarks  are  not  made 


APPENDIX.  XI 

•without  a  high  appreciation  of  the  services  he  has  contributed  to  the 
cause  of  historical  research,  in  a  quarter  where  uncommon  energy 
and  perseverance  alone,  could  have  ensured  any  tolerable  degree  of 
success. 


It  has  been  suggested  to  the  writer  by  an  antiquarian  friend, 
whose  attention  has  recently  been  directed  to  enquiry  on  the  subject, 
that  an  error  probably  exists,  in  the  Old  Cdlony  Records,  respecting 
the  name  of  Mannasseh  Faunce,  as  found  in  the  Division  of  lands 
among  the  passengers  of  the  ship  Ann  in  1623 ;  and  that  this  name 
should  have  been  written  Manasseh  Kempton.  This  opinion  is 
sustained  by  the  fact,  that  the  name  of  Manasseh  Faunce  nowhere 
appears  afterwards,  either  in  the  town  or  colony  records,  while  that 
of  Manasseh  Kempton  often  occurs  in  both,  as  appointed  to  execute 
many  important  public  trusts,  and  also  in  the  division  of  cattle  in 
1627.  He  died  January  14th,  1662-3,  and  the  following  brief 
remark  appears  in  the  entry  of  his  death  on  the  records:  'He  did 
much  good  in  his  place  the  time  God  lent  him.'  His  wife  Julian 
died  Feb.  19th,  1764-5,  aged  81  years,  and  the  brief  remark  is  added 
in  Secretary  Morton's  hand,  '  She  was  a  faithful  servant  of  God.' 


The  following  extract  will  show  the  origin  of  reading  the  hymn 
sung  at  anniversary  celebrations,  line  by  line.  '  And  here  it  will  be 
proper  to  observe,  that  it  was  their  practice  from  the  beginning  till 
Oct.  1681,  to  sing  the  Psalms  without  reading  the  line  ;  but  then  at 
the  motion  of  a  brother  who  otherwise  could  not  join  in  the  service, 
(I  suppose  he  could  not  read,)  they  altered  the  custom  and  reading 
was  introduced ;  the  elder  performing  that  service,  after  the  pastor 
had  first  expounded  the  psalm,  which  were  usually  sung  in  course, 
so  that  the  people  had  the  benefit  of  hearing  the  whole  book  of 
Psalms  expounded. 


Xll  APPENDIX 


CAPTAINS    HILL. 

This  beautiful  mount  is  situated  in  the  southeasterly  part  of 
Duxbury,  and  was  at  an  early  period  assigned,  with  land  adjacent, 
to  Myles  Standish,  the  intrepid  military  leader  of  the  Pilgrims.  Its 
summit,  in  a  gradual  ascent,  is  about  400  yards  from  the  water,  and 
about  180  feet  above  the  ocean,  by  which  it  is  washed,  on  its  west, 
south,  and  easterly  sides.  It  affords  an  extensive  and  delightful 
view  of  the  surrounding  country,  the  harbor,  Bay  of  Cape  Cod,  and 
Manomet.  The  dwelling  house  and  spring  of  Standish  were  on 
the  southerly  part  of  the  mount  and  but  a  short  distance  from  the 
water.  The  house  was  burnt,  as  we  have  learned  from  good  author- 
ity, while  occupied  by  Alexander,  the  oldest  son  of  Capt.  Standish. 
In  a  communication  from  Lewis  Bradford,  Esq.  the  aged  and  vener- 
rable  Town  Clerk  of  Plympton,  he  observes,  '  I  have  found  that 
Alexander  Standish  was  Town  Clerk  and  also  a  deacon  of  the 
Church  in  Duxbury,  and  that  he  lived  in  the  house  where  his 
father  lived,  wkich  was  burnt  and  the  Town  Records  of  Duxbury  up 
to  that  time  burnt  in  it.'  The  ruins  of  this  house  still  remain,  and 
frequently  attract  antiquarian  curiosity.  Implements  of  household 
use,  and  parcels  of  corn  partially  scorched  by  fire,  found  in  these 
ruins,  have  been  deemed  as  trophies  amply  rewarding  the  labor  ex- 
pended in  procuring  them. 

The  following  statement  from  the  Records  may  be  interesting  to 
the  descendants  of  Capt.  Standish,  now  engaged  in  ascertaining  the 
heirship  to  property  supposed  to  have  descended  from  the  Standish 
family  in  England.  The  will  of  Capt.  Miles  Standish  is  dated  March 
7, 16G5,  and  the  following  clause  relates  to  property  in  England.  '  I 
give  unto  my  son  and  heir  apparent  Alexander  Standish  all  my 
lands  as  heir  apparent  by  lawful  descent  in  Ormistic  Bousconge 
Wrightington  Maudsley  Newburrow  Cranston  and  in  the  Isle  of 
Man  and  given  to  mee  as  right  heire  by  lawful  descent,  but  surrep- 
titiously detained  from  mee  my  great  grandfather  being  a  second  or 
younger  brother  from  the  house  of  Standish  of  Standish.'  It 
appears  that  Miles,  the  oldest  son  of  Alexander,  inherited  the  home- 


APPENDIX.  Xlll 

stead  at  Duxbury,  and  died  there,  leaving  a  will,  dated  Aug.  31, 1739, 
in  which  he  gives  his  homestead,  120  acres,  to  Miles,  his  son,  his 
wife  Experience  to  have  half  the  income,  and  legacies  to  the  follow- 
ing named  daughters:  Sarah,  wife  of  Abner  Weston,  Patience, 
wife  of  Caleb  Jenney,  Priscilla  and  Penelope  Standish.  Penelope 
died  in  1740.  Miles  Standish,  above  named,  lived  in  Duxbury,  and 
July  3,  1763,  by  deed,  in  which  his  wife  Mehitabel  joined,  sold  his 
remaining  homestead  to  Samuel  and  Sylvanus  Drew,  who  about  the 
same  time  sold  it  to  Wait  Wadsworth.  He  probably  soon  moved  to 
Bridgewater,  and  July  1,  1765,  purchased  a  farm  (at  Teluat,)  costing 
£253  6s.  8d.,  of  Elijah  Leach.  He  sold,  his  wife  Mehetable  joining 
in  the  deed,  to  his  son  Miles  the  same  farm  April  28,  1779.  Judge 
Mitchell  states  that  he  died  in  1785,  aged  80,  and  that  his  son 
removed  to  Pennsylvania,  and  that  he  also  had  a  son  Miles,  from 
all  which  it  seems  probable  that  the  son  of  the  last  named  Miles  is 
the  rightful  heir  to  the  Standish  property  in  England,  if  any  such 
there  be. 


8* 


ERRATA. 


The  following  errors  have  been  detected  in  the  preceding  work, 
most  of  which  have  been  occasioned  by  indispensable  engagements, 
not  anticipated  when  the  work  was  commenced,  rendering  it  impos- 
sible to  give  it  so  careful  a  revisal  as  otherwise  it  would  have  received. 

The  date  on  page  45,  should  read  Dec.  22d,  1843,  instead  of  Dec. 
22d,  1824. 

The  word  He,  on  page  76,  should  read  isle. 

The  word  Eanacum,  on  page  108.  should  read  Canacum. 

The  words  2  hhds.  of  beam  clapboards  aad  sasafras,  should  read  2 
khds.  beaver,  clapboards  and  sasafras. 

The  dates  in  note,  on  page  151,  should  be  1621,  &c,  instead  of  1821. 

The  word  eighteen,  eleventh  line  from  the  top  of  page  181,  should 
read  eight. 

In  the  Airs,  over  Clark's  Island,  Hersey  B.  Goodwin,  instead  of 
Henry  B.  Goodwin. 

Date  on  second  line  from  top  of  page  144,  the  date  should  be  1625. 

On  page  261,  13th  line,  the  words,  and  one  half  mile  in  length, 
should  read  one  and  a  half  mile  in  length. 

On  page  271,  N.  N.  West,  should  read  North  by  East. 

On  page  273,  the  word  faded,  should  read  failed. 

On  page  279,  6th  line  from  top,  the  words  town  house  should  read 
(hurt  house. 


INDEX. 


o- 


Page. 

Alden,  John,  Biographical  and  Genealogical  Sketch,  .  .  244 
Allerton,  Isaac,  Biographical  Sketch  of,  ....     242 

Adams,  John  Quincy,   Remarks  on  the  Compact  signed  on 

board  the  Mayflower, 49 

Adams,  John  Quincy,  Remarks  on  the  New  England  Confed- 
eracy of  1643,  49 

Ann,  Ship,  Alphabetical  List  of  Passengers,  .  .  .  .128 
Adventurers,  Merchant,  List  of  their  Names  in  1626, 

Appendix  A.         i 
Adventurers,  Merchant,  Account  of  Losses  in  the  sale  of  their 

Estate, Appendix  D.       iv 

Adams,  John,  Letter  Extract  from,  concerning  Thomas  Mor- 
ton of  Mount  Walloston, 145 

Alms  House,   .  279 

B. 

Burying  Hill, — Description  —  History  of — Inscriptions,        .     204 

Billington  Sea, 215 

Brewster,  William,  Biographical  Sketch  of,  .  .  .  .241 
Bradford,  William,  Biographical  Sketch  of,  .  .  .  .237 
Bartlett,  Robert,  Biographical  Sketch  of,  ....  253 
Billington,  Francis,  Remarks  on  supposed  Error  in  Mourt's 

Journal,  (note,) 217 


XVI  I  N  D  EX. 

C. 

Cole's  Hill,  the  first  Burial  Place  of  the  Pilgrims,  .  .  .  200 
Captain's  Hill,  the  residence   of   Standish,  Description  of, 

Appendix      xii 
Clark's  Island,  Description  and  History  of,  .        .        .212 

Cushman,  Robert,  Biographical  Sketch  of,       ...  236 

Chilton,  James,  Biographical  Sketch  of,  .        .        .        .251 

Carver,  Gov.  John,  Biographical  Sketch  of,  .  .  .  .  235 
Choate,  Rufus,  Remarks  on  the  Embarkation  from  Delfthaven,  37 
Choate,  Rufus,  Remarks  on  the  contact  of  the  Puritans  with 

the  Republican  forms  of  Geneva, 45 

Choate,  Rufus,  Remarks  on  the  trials  of  the  Pilgrims,     .         .117 

"  "      On  the  Sickness  of  the  First  Winter,       .        .    201 

Cattle,  Division  of,  and  the  Shares  allotted,     .        .        .        .134 

Clifton,  Richard,  Account  of,  by  Gov.  Bradford,       Appendix,     viii 

Cemetery, 300 

Cape  Cod,  Discovery  of,  by  Gosnold,   .        .        Appendix  F.        v 
Carlyle,  Thomas,  Remarks  on  the  Mayflower  and  Puritans,    .     187 
Chapter  I.  —  A  brief  Historical  Account  of  the  Pilgrims  pre- 
vious to  their  Removal  from  England  to  Holland,  .         .         1 
Chapter  II.  —  Departure  of  the  Pilgrims  for  Holland  —  their 

arrival  at  Amsterdam, 12 

Chapter  III.  —  Residence  of  the  Pilgrims  in  Holland  — 
Thoughts  of  Removal  from  Ley  den,  and  determination 

to  embark  for  America, 20 

Chapter  IV.  —  The  Embarkation  of  the  Pilgrims  at  Delft-Ha- 
ven, July  22d,  1 620, 32 

Chapter  V. —  The  Departure  of  the  Mayflower  and  Speedwell 
for  America — Incidents  of  the  Voyage — Arrival  at  Cape 

Cod, 39 

Chapter  VI. — Exploration  of  Cape  Cod  —  Compact  on  board 

the  Mayflower  —  Landing  at  Plymouth,            ...      42 
Chapter  VH.  —  Of  their  Landing  and  Settling  a\  New  Plym- 
outh,          57 

Chapter  VIII. — The  visit  of  Winslow  and  Hopkins  to  Poka- 
noket  —  Arrival  of  the  ship  Fortune  —  Edward  Wins- 
low's  letter  to  George  Morton, 83 


INDEX.  XVII 

Chapter  IX.  —  Arrival  of  Weston's  Colony  in  the  Charity 
and  Swan,  1622  —  Their  stay  in  Plymouth,  and  conduct 
there  —  Their  removal  to  Wessaguscus  —  Gov.  Bradford 
and  Standish  visit  Cape  Cod  for  supplies  of  corn  —  Sick- 
ness of  Massassoit  —  Conspiracy  of  the  Indians  —  Stan- 
dish's  departure  to  Wessaguscus  —  Dissolution  of  Wes- 
ton's Colony, 105 

Chapter  X. —  An  abstract  of  important  events  and  circum- 
stances connected  with  the  Pilgrims  from  1623  to  the 
Union  of  the  Old  Colony  and  Massachusetts  in  1692,       .     119 

Chapter  XI.  —  Genealogy  of  the  Pilgrims  —  Table  of  Longev- 
ity—  Closing  Remarks  on  the  Pilgrims,  .         .         .     235 

Chapter  XII.  —  Description  of  Plymouth,        .        .        .        .260 

D. 

D wight,  Rev.  Dr.,  Remarks  on  Plymouth  Rock,      .        .        .182 
De  Tocqueville,  His  Remarks  on  the  Rock  of  Plymouth,        .     182 

E. 

Everett,  Edward,  Description  of  the  Mayflower,       .        .        .188 

Remarks  of 9 

Explanation  of  the  Engravings, 304 

Engraving  of  Cradle  and  House, 45 

"         "  Peregrin's  Tree, 234 

"  Facsimiles, 254 

F. 

Friendly  Indians  —  Massassoit,  Samoset,  and  others,       .        .  228 

Fuller,  Samuel,  Biographical  Sketch  of, 245 

Famine  apprehended, 120 

Fortune,  Alphabetical  List  of  Passengers,        .        .        .        .128 

First  Church  of  Plymouth,  History, 149 

Foster,  John,  Remarks  of, 7 

Freemen  in  1643  —  in  Plymouth  and  other  towns  in  the  Old 

Colony, 278 


xvm  INDEX. 

G. 

Geology  of  Plymouth, 262 

H. 

Howland,  John,  Biographical  Sketch  of, 249 

Hopkins,  Stephen,  Account  of, 250 

Hutchinson,           ,  Remarks  on  the  Pilgrims,          ...  49 

I. 

Indian  Names, 303 

K. 

Kcmpton,  Manasseh  and  John  Faunce,  Supposed  error  in  O. 

C.  Records, Appendix       xi 

L. 

Leyden  Street,  Description  and  History  of,      .        .        .        .190 
Lands  and  Lots,  Division  of, 122,  123,  134 

M. 

Mayflower,  Ship,  History  of,  184 

Morton,  Nathaniel,  Biographical  Sketch  of,  ...     252 

Mayflower  —  Number    of    Passengers  —  their    Names    and. 

Families  and  Compact  Signed  on  Board  of,  .  .  .  46 
Mayflower,  Ship,  Alphabetical  list  of  Passengers,  .  .  .128 
Morton,  Thomas,  Account  of  his  Proceedings,  .  .  .143 
Massasoit,  his  inter  view  with  the  Pilgrims,      .        .        .        .77 

Massasoit,  Treaty  of  Peace, 79 

Mourt's  Relation,  its  authors,  ....         Appendix       iii 

N. 
New  England  Confederacy  in  1 643, 146 

0. 
Old  Colony  Club,  History  of— First  Celebration  of  the  Anni- 
versary,     218 


NDEX.  XIX 


P. 


Pilgrim  Hall,  Description  of,  Curiosities,  Paintings,  &c.,          .  230 

Philip's  War, 147 

Pilgrim  Society, 279 

Plymouth,  Boundaries  and  Description  of.  Chapter  12,  page  .  260 

Botanical  Description  of,        ....  265 

"         Population,  at  Various  Periods,      ....  276 

Commerce  and  Fisheries,        .....  273 

Manufactories,  Kinds  and  Value  of,  275 

"          Churches  and  Succession  of  Pastors,      .        .        .  290 

"         Fire  Department,           ......  297 

"         Lakes  and  Ponds,            ......  294 

"  Sunday  Schools,  Temperance,        .       .         .     299, 300 

R. 

Rock,  Forefather's, .176 

Robinson,  John,  his  Farewell  Address  to  the  Lcyden  Church,  160 
Records,  Plymouth  Colony,  Account  of,  .  .  .  .172 
Records,  First  Church  of  Plymouth,  Account  of,  and  extracts 

from, Appendix  vi 

Robinson,  John,  Lines  on  his  Death,  from  the  Church  Records, 

Appendix  vii 

S. 

Standish,  Mylcs,  Biographical  Sketch  of,         ....  243 

Standish,  Mylcs,  Anecdote  of, 181 

South  worth,  Mrs.  Alice,  Biographical  Sketch  of,  .  .  .251 
Sumner,  George,  Remarks  on  his  Memoirs  of  the  Pilgrims  at 

Leyden, Appendix  viii 

Sargent,  Henry,  Description  of  his  Painting,           .        .        .  230 

Samoset,  His  Visit  to  the  Pilgrims, 72 

Samosct  House, 301 

Standish,  Mylcs,  Extract  from  his  will  respecting  estate  in 

England, Appendix  xii 

Schools,  Public  and  Private, 285 


XX  INDEX. 

W. 

"Watson's  Hill,  Description  of,  Place  of  Interview  with  Mas- 

sassoit, 226 

Weir's  Painting,  Description  of  the  Embarkation  of  the  Pil- 
grims at  Delft- Haven,  .        .        .         Appendix  A.         i 
Winslow,  Edward,  Biography,  Genealogical  Account  of  his 

Family, 239 

Winslow,  John,  Biography,  Genealogical  Account  of  his  Fam- 
ily,     240 

Winslow,  Kenelm,  Josiah,  and  Gilbert, 241 

White,  William,  Biographical  Sketch  of,         ....    246 
Warren,  Richard,  Biographical  Sketch  of,  .     249 

Webster,  Daniel,  On  the  Embarkation  of  the  Pilgrims  for 

Holland, 19 

Webster,  Daniel,  On  the  Landing  upon  Forefather's  Rock,     .     183 
Winslow,  Edward,  Jr.,  First  Anniversary  Address,  .        .    222 


ADDITIONAL  ERRATA. 


On  page  1st  of  the  Preface,  distinguished  visitors  should  read  dis- 
tinguished  writers. 

On  page  7th  of  the  Introductory  Lines,  the  date  in  the  note,  1775, 
should  read  1675. 

On  page  54th  word  Billington  Point  should  read  Billingsgate  Point. 

The  date  on  page  197,  5th  line  from  the  bottom,  1837,  should  read 
1637. 

The  words  Court  House,  on  page  279,  8th  line  from  the  bottom, 
should  read  Town  House. 

On  page  292,  the  name  of  Abial  Harvey  should  read  Adiel  Harvey 

On  page  164,  the  words  solid  character  should  read  rolled  character. 

On  page  264,  13th  line  from  the  top,  1685  should  read  1785. 

On  page  280,  the  name  of  Winslow  Warren,  M.  D.,  should  have 
been  inserted  as  a  Trustee  of  the  Pilgrim  Society. 

On  page  275,  the  words  Cotton  Ducks  should  read  Cotton  Duck. 

On  page  22d,  Airs  of  the  Pilgrims,  in  the  note  attached  to  the  Ode 
composed  by  the  Hon.  John  Davis  of  Boston,  the  words  excepting  in 
the  5th  verse  should  read  excepting  in  the  6th  verse. 

On  page  295  the  name  of  Jonathan  Sparrow  should  read  Richard 
Sparrow. 

On  page  279,3d  line  from  bottom  of  the  page  should  be  1820  instead 
of  1620. 

In  the  Appendix,  page  7,  the  date  of  Myles  Standish's  will  should 
read  March  1th,  1655,  instead  of  1665. 

The  word  maratime  on  page  184,  should  read  maritime. 


XX  INDEX. 

TV. 

Watson's  Hill,  Description  of,  Place  of  Interview  with  Mas- 


90 
Tl 

H 

z 

JO 

z 

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z 
o 

DO 
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o 

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